OPERATION ELEPHANT;

WILD ELEPHANT ATTACKS TAMED ONES

Madikeri March 15, 2009

A rogue elephant yesterday attacked the team of two tamed elephants during the “chase” in an estate at Maragodu and created tension for few moments.

“Harsha” and “Vikram” are engaged by forest department to chase a herd of elephants rampaging coffee estates around Maragodu. A team of about forty forest staff and public set out to chase the herd in the morning. The herd was successfully pushed to a high position of a peak from where they should be led in the direction of Dubare elephant camp. After treading difficult terrains for kilometers the herd misled the chasing team, escaped in the thick jungle and came down to the original point where it had been camping since days.

The chasing team decided to return as it was nearing dark in the evening. Added to it, it was raining too.

The team was on for a shock as a rogue elephant from the herd charged at them. The people ran helter – skelter. The duo Harsha and Vikram turned victims and the elephant charged at them. The coffee estates and valleys’ echoed their trumpeting and the trio resorted to a battle. Harsha, which is known in the forest world as the nation’s best fighter, who can handle any kind of wild elephant with ease, along with its companion Vikram pulled the iron chain from its back and began to attack the wild one. Crackers and hoax guns were fired and the wild one rushed back to its herd hiding in the jungle.

The terrain is a mix-up of thick jungle and coffee estates lying in high altitudes. Climbing up and down is a challenging task here. The forest department is camping in the region and continued the operation again today.

Deputy Forest Officer Mallesh told this correspondent that the herd is moving with a calf and is highly protective. According to him, the herd will not walk too far when a calf is with them. Commenting about the elephant menace he opined that the elephants have no proper corridor in kodagu. Each elephant will roam at least forty kilometers a day. Whereas, Kodagu hardly has such safe haven for them. They obviously enter coffee estate.

The elephant herd has damaged coffee, plantain and other crops in the region.

Acfo Vijayakumar, RFOs Shashi and Chinnappa were also in the combing team.

PERSON ELECTROCUTED;

A person died of electrocution at Hunisekayi Hosalli of electrocution near Alur siddapur.

An estate labourer Govindegowda was shifting an alluminium ladder to pluck pepper in an estate. The ladder accidentally came into contact with a passing electric wire and Govindegowda fell dead on the ground with a scream.