‘Omkar’ spotted near border of Goa-Maharashtra

Panaji: The sub-adult elephant named Omkar, who strayed into Goa last year and later reunited with his herd, has been sighted along the Goa-Maharashtra border again, prompting Goa forest department to deploy a 25-member team.

Conservator of forest (wildlife and eco-tourism), Naveen Kumar, said that the current post-harvest season has limited food availability, which may be driving the elephant to move.

“During his last visit in the monsoon, Omkar had access to all required resources. As this forms part of the usual route, Omkar returned to the area. Currently, movement is along the border without fully entering Goa. Seasonal scarcity may soon prompt a return to Maharashtra,” Kumar told TOI.

The elephant, first arrived in Goa in Sept last year and spent a month before returning to Maharashtra. He moved back and forth due to hostility from farmers over the following months. Determined to return home, he left Goa in Dec and reunited with his herd in Jan.