Wayanad: The Kerala Forest Department on Friday successfully tranquilised the rogue wild elephant popularly known as Muttikomban, which had earlier killed a farmer in Wayanad.

North Wayanad Divisional Forest Officer Ajith K Raman said the animal is yet to be fully brought under control, and an additional tranquiliser shot will be administered if required. Once secured, the tusker will be shifted to the elephant camp at Muthanga.

The operation was carried out in the early hours at Vadakkanad in Noolpuzha, where the elephant had been frequenting farmlands.

The animal, officially identified as Thathur Tusker (TT-1), had been creating panic in Vadakkanad and nearby Valluvadi villages for weeks, largely due to repeated crop raids. It was on March 3 that it killed Rajeev (37), a farmer from Pachadi.

Earlier, public anger mounted over delays in capturing the animal. Residents, particularly local youth, had even launched a campaign threatening to boycott the upcoming Assembly elections unless swift action was taken. The protest drew widespread attention and added pressure on authorities to expedite the mission. Manoj Vadakkanad, who led the campaign, said initial delays were caused by the time taken to confirm whether the farmer’s death was due to an elephant attack.

The operation involved an 80-member team led by Chief Forest Veterinary Officer Dr Arun Zachariah, supported by three veterinary experts. Several earlier attempts to tranquilise the tusker had failed, including one instance where the animal charged at the team.

Four kumki elephants—Pramukha, Surya, Vikram and Unnikrishnan—from the Muthanga elephant camp were also part of the mission.