Wildlife Encounters Trigger Panic in Mysuru District
Early on Wednesday, residents of Hanchipura village in Mysuru district faced a tense situation as three elephants ventured out of the forest, causing widespread panic. The elephants roamed on the outskirts of the village, despite villagers shouting and screaming in an attempt to scare them away. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Elephants Successfully Driven Back into Forest
With cooperation from the villagers, forest department staff swiftly responded to the emergency. DCF (Mysuru circle) K Paramesh confirmed that the elephants were successfully driven back into the forest by foresters. The villagers of Hanchipura, located in Saragur taluk, have urged the forest department to implement measures to prevent wild animals from entering the village in the future.
Crocodile Sightings at Kukkarahalli Lake Raise Concerns
In a separate development, foresters have asked authorities of the University of Mysore to erect a caution signboard about the movement of crocodiles at Kukkarahalli Lake. The DCF told TOI that the crocodile's frequent appearances in the lake area were causing significant concern. Morning and evening walkers near the lake need to exercise caution, as recently, a morning walker captured its movement on a mobile camera, underscoring the potential risks.
Leopard Trapped and Released in HD Kote Taluk
Meanwhile, a leopard was trapped near N Belathur in HD Kote taluk on Wednesday. The big cat had been causing trouble for several days by attacking livestock raised by farmers, leaving villagers distressed by its frequent attacks. Following a complaint by the villagers, the forest department set up a trap. The leopard was caught while searching for food and was subsequently released back into the forest, as stated by a forester.
These incidents collectively emphasize the urgent need for effective wildlife management strategies in Mysuru district to ensure the safety of both residents and animals.
