Two male tuskers that migrated from Chhattisgarh into Maharashtra have now entered the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR), marking the first sighting of wild elephants in the area in over 50 years. Wildlife experts have warned that any reckless behaviour by tourists or safari vehicles trying to get too close could lead to unfortunate incidents. A source from the Maharashtra Forest Department told mid-day that one of the tuskers, identified as ME3, was first spotted near a village close to the Saoli Range in Chandrapur district on Thursday. Both elephants were seen inside TATR on Friday.

Wildlife conservationist Sagnik Sengupta, co-founder of the NGO Stripes and Green Earth (SAGE) Foundation, told mid-day that ME3 was sighted in the Kolsa Range of TATR, near Pangadi Gate. “Since 2024, I’ve been tracking ME3. With his exploratory nature, he can travel into any area without warning,” Sengupta said. “Last year, he reached as far as Kagaznagar in Telangana. This time, he has entered the core area of Tadoba.”

According to Sengupta, ME3 entered Maharashtra on May 4 and has since been spotted at various locations, including inside Gadchiroli town. He noted that ME3 has been linked to seven human fatalities, though all were considered accidental and not deliberate attacks. “Even video footage shows that if not disturbed, he doesn’t cause harm,” he said.