COIMBATORE:Two wild elephants entered a residential area in Kalampalayam near Perur on the outskirts of the city on Monday, but were safely driven back to the forests near Thondamuthur after long hours of struggle by forest department staff.
According to forest sources, the two elephants, a male and a female, entered the residential area on Monday morning. Following an alert, a forest team led by R G Sekar, forest range officer, Coimbatore forest range, started the operation from 8 am.
Forest staff from Boluvampatty forest range also joined the Coimbatore forest personnel in their efforts to drive away the elephants.
Staffs were given crackers to divert the animals’ attention and forcing them away from human habitations. Though the two elephant keep the forest staff and officials on toes, there was no damages to property and humans.
“We have safely driven back the both the elephants without any damages to crops in the surroundings of Perur. As of now, the animals are stationed near Thondamuthur forest area,” said the official.
As many as 35 forest staffs along with few members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) were engaged in driving away the elephants into forest up to 5 pm.
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http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil_nadu/2-Wild-Jumbos-Safely-Driven-Back-to-Forest/2015/06/16/article2868498.ece