Daijiworld Media Network – Kadaba

Kadaba, Aug 29: A herd of wild elephants that had been camping in the Balli area for the past few days moved towards Aithur village on Friday and entered the Forest Department’s rubber plantation near Koriyur, causing concern among local residents.

The herd comprises a total of eight elephants, including two calves. After elephant footprints were spotted in the Patholi area of Balli village, the herd moved towards the Kalkal area. During its movement, the elephants damaged several baine trees by breaking them.

Later, the herd moved through the Beerikadu area near Ennemajalu, crossed the river and passed through Enkoop Quarters and the Otakaje area in Aithur village before entering the Forest Department’s rubber plantation. Locals said the elephants are currently staying in the plantation.

As the wild elephants are in close proximity to residential and agricultural areas, farmers and workers heading to plantations, as well as schoolchildren, are worried. Villagers are sharing information among themselves and urging one another to remain alert and avoid travelling alone.

After receiving information, Forest Department officials and members of the elephant task force visited the spot and inspected the situation. An operation has been launched to safely drive the wild elephants back into the forest.