Madikeri: A wild elephant entered the premises of a residence at midnight, consumed food supplies, and damaged household items in Kodagu on Sunday.The elephant broke into Kaveri’s house in Chennangi village, consumed rice and other foodstuffs, and destroyed various items, including drums, kitchenware, plastic items, an LED TV, and other electrical equipment. The same elephant returned early in the morning, targeting the kitchen area and destroying the roof sheets.The incident has left the family members in panic and fear.The family, previously frightened by two similar attacks, sought refuge at a relative’s nearby house. Upon returning in the morning, they discovered extensive damage to their food supplies and properties.Previously, the family had narrowly escaped when the elephant attempted to attack while they were sleeping. Their screams drove the elephant away. Due to the elephant’s frequent visits, occurring two to three times weekly, Kaveri and her daughter began sleeping at a neighbouring house.Gram panchayat president Makeri Arun Kumar inspected the site and provided food help to the family. He urged the forest department to offer compensation and address the elephant problem.Siddappa, president of the Tribal Farmers’ Association, expressed concern about recurring elephant attacks and requested the forest department to patrol, capture, and relocate problematic elephants. He also urged compensation for the loss.Forest officials conducted a site inspection. According to residents, the elephant menace has been causing trouble to villagers in Mayamudi, Thithimathi, and Devarapur panchayat regions as well.A herd of elephants has been causing trouble to residents, and about six of them have returned to the forest, while two remain in Mayamudi’s coffee plantations, villagers claim. Despite forest department efforts, relocated elephants have returned due to inadequate security fencing measures.Villagers have set a 10-day deadline for the forest department to send the elephants back into the woods.
