Madikeri: Foresters in Kodagu faced a tense situation on Saturday when a herd of wild elephants charged at them during an operation to drive the animals out of coffee estates in Guhya village.
At the start of the operation, the elephants turned aggressive and attacked the team, forcing forest staff to retreat temporarily. The drive was launched following repeated complaints from villagers about elephants straying into coffee plantations in Guhya and nearby Nellihudikeri villages.
Forest department officials and personnel carried out the operation from Saturday morning till evening. During the exercise, the herd split into smaller groups and moved across plantations, making the task difficult. While some elephants were pushed back, several remained inside the estates, particularly around Guhya village and along the riverbanks of Nellihudikeri.
Officials said the herd comprised over 21 elephants, including five calves. Despite sustained efforts, many of the animals were reluctant to return to the forest. The situation remained tense as foresters continued their efforts to safely guide the elephants back to their natural habitat.
