Vice President Unveils Drone for Safe Tranquilisation of Elephants

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan unveiled a customised drone designed to tranquilise violent elephants without close human intervention, marking a significant step in the use of indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology for wildlife protection and human–animal conflict mitigation.

The unveiling took place on Sunday in the presence of Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Tourism Suresh Gopi , highlighting the national importance of integrating advanced aerial systems into conservation efforts. The event underscored growing interest in deploying technology to address challenges posed by human–elephant conflict across sensitive regions.

Developed by Garuda Aerospace , the drone is engineered to support safe and precise elephant darting operations through aerial-assisted tranquilisation. The system enables forest officials to administer tranquiliser darts with enhanced accuracy while maintaining distance from aggressive or distressed elephants. According to the company, this significantly reduces on-ground risk to forest personnel and minimises disturbance to wildlife during critical interventions.

The platform was first introduced nearly a decade ago as the company’s initial drone solution for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department . The latest version represents the outcome of years of field experience, technological upgrades, and focused research and development , resulting in a more refined and mission-ready system tailored for conservation needs.

Garuda Aerospace stated that its drones have also been supplied to leading conservation bodies, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and various forest departments across India. These deployments have supported activities such as wildlife monitoring, anti-poaching operations, habitat mapping, and rapid-response missions in ecologically sensitive areas.

Speaking at the event, Agnishwar Jayaprakash , Founder and Director of Garuda Aerospace, described the unveiling as a milestone in indigenous innovation. He said the company remains committed to developing technology-driven solutions that protect both animals and local communities.

As India continues to address growing wildlife management challenges, drone-assisted darting is being promoted as a safer, more efficient, and humane alternative to traditional ground-based methods, reinforcing the role of advanced technology in conservation efforts.