An Indian gaur, which was captured in Channarayapatna town of Hassan district on Saturday (October 12, 2025) after being tranquilised twice, died even as the Forest Department officials were translocating it.

The male animal, aged about four years, died due to severe cardiac arrest, according to the officials.

The wild animal was spotted in the town on October 11 morning, leaving the residents worried. It ran helter-skelter, injuring a woman and damaging a car and a few two-wheelers.

Double tranquilisation

The Forest Department officials had a tough time capturing it as it had been roaming in the urban locality. Somehow, the staff succeeded in sedating the animal and capturing it. However, it jumped off the truck, which had been arranged for the translocation.

The animal was again tranquilized and captured. However, the officials’ efforts to relocate it did not succeed.

Sourabh Kumar, DCF of Hassan, told The Hindu that the staff made all efforts to rescue the animal and release it into the forest area known for the presence of gaurs.

“Unfortunately, the animal died despite our sincere efforts. A team of doctors from the veterinary college conducted the postmortem in the presence of representatives of non-governmental organisations working in the field of wildlife. According to doctors, the animal died of cardiac arrest,” he said.