H.H. Venkatesh, popularly known as Aane Venkatesh for his expertise in firing tranqulizer darts during elephant capturing operations, died in an elephant attack near Alur on Thursday, August 31. Venkatesh, 67, was part of the Forest Department’s team to capture the elephant that required treatment.
“Venkatesh had fired a tranquliser dart at the elephant, which prompted the animal to turn back and run towards him. In his efforts to escape, Venkatesh fell into a ditch. The animal followed him and attacked him. We somehow took him to a hospital in Hassan. However, he did not survive”, said D. Mohan Kumar, Deputy Conservator of Forests of Hassan. Venkatesh is survived by his wife and two sons.
Mr. Venkatesh previously worked as a forest guard. Even after his retirement, the Forest Department hired him through an outsourcing firm considering his expertise. “Throughout his tenure, he assisted the department in capturing numerous elephants. His service to the department is highly valuable. Unfortunately, we lost him today,” the DCF said. The officer said the department would give ₹15 lakh as ex-gratia to Mr. Venkatesh’s family.
The wild elephant had been injured recently after being attacked by other elephants. Earlier, on August 25, the department had treated the animal. However, the injuries did not heal, forcing the department to treat the animal again.
Minister mourns death
Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has mourned the death of Aane Venkatesh. In his condolence message to Venkatesh’s family, the Minister recalled the service rendered by Venkatesh. “He worked for the department for many years before being hired as an outsourced employee, after his retirement. He was an expert in firing tranqulizer darts to sedate the animals. I am pained by his death. I pray the god to give Venkatesh’s family the strength they need to overcome their loss,” he said.
The officers of the Forest Department handed over a cheque of ₹15 lakh to Venkatesh’s wife G.S. Manjula and children Mithun and Mohith.
