Puttur: Residents of Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district have been living in fear for the past week due to a herd of rampaging elephants. The trouble began on June 5th and has left the forest department scrambling to contain the situation.
Two specific elephants have been causing the most problems, wreaking havoc in the villages of Savanoor, Bellipadi, and Kolthige. One elephant even made its way out of the Bellipadi Kathare area before forest officials managed to shepherd it back towards the Shantigodu Wildlife Sanctuary.
The operation to drive the elephants back was a tense affair, lasting for about three hours and blocking a vital road. Around 30 forest department personnel, including officials from Sakleshpur, Dubare, and Subramanya, participated in the effort.
While the initial operation was successful, forest officials warn that the elephants may reappear in other villages. The department has issued a cautionary notice to residents of Bellipadi, Shantigodu, and surrounding areas to remain vigilant.
This incident highlights the ongoing struggle between human settlements and encroaching wildlife corridors. With habitat loss and food scarcity pushing elephants closer to human habitation, effective solutions are needed to ensure the safety of both humans and these magnificent creatures.