PUTTUR, Dakshina Kannada District: Two elephants, separated from their herd and frightened by local actions, are currently roaming in the fringe areas of Puttur and Sullia taluks since late evening on June 10. As of the latest report at 8:30 pm on Tuesday (June 11), the elephants were hiding near Kedambadi village, just a few meters away from the residence of Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai.
According to forest officials, the elephants, along with 12 others, had migrated from Parappa village in Kerala along their natural migration route between Wayanad and Kodagu. They were lured by the scent of ripened jackfruit towards a village fringe area in Puttur taluk, where locals scared them away with firecrackers. Unfortunately, instead of guiding them back, the villagers drove the elephants deeper into unfamiliar territory, leading to their separation from the herd and posing a risk of entering villages in neighboring Buntwal taluk.
Forest officials believe that without further interference, the elephants may find their way back to their herd, cross the river, and return to the reserve forests. The forest departments of three taluks in Dakshina Kannada district are on high alert and closely monitoring the situation. However, heavy rains in the area have made tracking hazardous for officials.
Meanwhile, MLA Ashok Kumar Rai and former MLA Sanjeev Matandoor have allegedly been interfering unnecessarily in the forest department’s work, causing delays and hindrances in operations.