Mandya: Panic gripped Gundapura village near Halaguru in Malavalli taluk on Sunday after a lone wild elephant strayed into a banana plantation. Alarmed residents immediately informed the forest department, following which officials rushed to the spot and launched an intensive operation to drive the animal back into the forest.During the operation, S Chetan, a forest department jeep driver actively involved in the effort, was briefly chased by the elephant. He narrowly escaped unhurt. The sighting attracted large crowds from nearby villages, with many residents gathering to catch a glimpse of the tusker, complicating the efforts of forest personnel. Fearing the possible presence of more elephants in the area, local farmers avoided using nearby roads and ventured out only after officials took control of the situation.Forest authorities suspect that the elephant may be part of a group of 3 wild elephants recently sighted in the Maddur region, believed to have migrated from the Kabbalu forest area. Preliminary assessments indicate that while two elephants moved towards the Basavanabetta forest after reaching Halaguru, this lone elephant became separated from the herd and wandered into the plantation. It later took refuge in a stream.Senior forest officers remained stationed at the site, closely monitoring the elephant’s movement and coordinating efforts to safely guide it back into its natural habitat.Nagendra Prasad, assistant conservator of forests, Cauvery Wildlife Subdivision, said the elephant is currently in a safe location and under constant surveillance. He added that the department is waiting for public movement to subside and plans to safely drive the elephant back towards the Basavanabetta forest area during the night.
