Three Days of Tension as Massive Gaur Roams Bengaluru Villages
Forest officials in Bengaluru finally breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday evening after three days of intensive searching for an Indian gaur that had been roaming villages near Bannerghatta National Park in Anekal, south Bengaluru. The elusive bovine, which had kept both residents and officials on edge since Wednesday, crossed over into neighbouring Tamil Nadu, temporarily ending the tension in the region.
The Rampaging Bull: Damage and Panic Across Villages
The massive gaur, believed to be around 20 years old, triggered widespread panic across several villages by ransacking agricultural fields and even overturning parked two-wheelers near houses. Despite having one of its horns severely damaged, the powerful animal charged through settlements, tossing aside everything in its path with tremendous force.
Determined to capture and safely relocate the gaur back into the wild, the forest department deployed more than 25 personnel equipped with advanced technology including drones, thermal imaging cameras, and capture nets. The operation began when the animal was first sighted in Soppahalli on Wednesday, then near Kammasandra Agrahara and Doddahagade on Thursday.
The Elusive Escape: Tracking the Gaur's Movements
On Friday, the situation intensified when the gaur was spotted close to Haldenahalli railway station, prompting immediate alerts from concerned residents. However, by the time forest officials reached the location, the animal had vanished again, leaving only fresh hoof marks as evidence of its presence.
Villagers soon reported seeing the gaur near a lake in Karpuru village, but before the rescue team could close in, the animal made its final move. It bolted toward the TVS factory near Hosur and finally crossed into Tamil Nadu territory, ending the three-day standoff.
V Ganesh, assistant conservator of forests, Bengaluru Urban division, confirmed: "Camera images revealed the gaur crossing into Hosur area. We have informed our counterparts in Tamil Nadu and retained staff along the border to keep vigil in case it returns."
Not an Isolated Incident: History of Gaurs Straying into Bengaluru
Forest officials noted that this is not the first instance of gaurs straying into Bengaluru's outskirts. In 2023, another gaur wandered from Muthyalamaduvu area into Anekal. Similarly, in 2022, two gaurs sneaked into Neralur village and were found foraging on mulberry plants and fodder grass cultivated for livestock.
An official involved in the rescue effort explained: "The animal may have strayed from its herd and ended up on this side. Such incidents are becoming more frequent as human settlements expand closer to wildlife habitats." The forest department continues to monitor the border area in case the massive gaur decides to return to Karnataka territory.
