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A herd of six tuskers was discovered at the sugarcane fields near Toobinakere village in Maddur taluk of the district on Sunday.
Forest officials say that the pachyderms may have come in search of food from Makali forest range in Ramanagar district. Efforts to drive away the jumbos back into the forest were launched after 6 pm on Sunday.
According to locals, six acres of sugarcane fields have been destroyed by the elephants. It is suspected that the herd of elephants reached the village, moving along the banks of River Shimsha.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Prakash Natanikar, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mandya forest division, said that the department personnel were alerted in the morning about the presence of a herd of elephants.
“We have launched operations to drive away the elephants. About 50 personnel from Mandya, Hunsur and Mysore division are taking part in the operation,” he said. The elephants, according to officials, are being driven back to the Makali forest range.
“We are yet to assess the extent of crop damage. Compensation will be provided to the farmers who have lost crops,” he said. The operation to drive away the pachyderms is expected to last through the night.
With the news of the presence of elephants spreading in the region, a large crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the herd. The Forest department had to seek assistance of the police department to control the crowd.