Forest team chased by tusker during operation, has lucky escape

HASSAN: A rapid response team (RRT) of the Forest Department, which was trying to drive out a tusker from a coffee plantation ast Yadehalli village in Sakleshpur taluk, was chased by the elephant. Luckily, no one was injured as the team member ran to safety.

The RRT was monitoring the movement of the lone tusker when it suddenly charged at the team. The incident was captured on a mobile phone camera.

The operation to capture rogue elephants resumed on Tuesday after two days.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department has resumed its operation to capture the rogue elephants from today after a two-day break. Eight elephants, led by Abhimanyu, are taking part in the operation. So far, one elephant has been captured and shifted to a camp.

In another incident, wild elephants destroyed standing crops of coconut, papaya, maize and banana at KG Hosahalli in Ramanagara taluk. The crops, worth lakhs, belonged to farmers Bheemaiah, Shivanna, Bette Gowda and Puttasiddaiah. The farmers have vented their ire against the Forest Department for not finding a lasting solution.