Madikeri/Hunsur: Intrusion by wild animals in human habitat has become common with incidents of wild elephants camping in coffee plantations and leopards entering village farms only increasing over the years.
The wild elephants are infusing fear among the people living near forests by causing extensive damage to crops and by killing people. Earlier they used to enter human habitat in search of water and food during summer but off late they have become all season guests posing danger. They come in search of bananas and jack fruits as they sniff aroma from a long distance. Bamboo which was available in abundance is now in short supply which forces the wild elephants to find new habitats for their survival.
It is difficult to assess their timing or day of intrusion when they appear in herds or in singles. Few days back they were found on the outskirts of Suntikopa town and immediately they shifted their base to Chettalli coffee estates. In addition to habitat destruction they have killed humans and the elephant human conflict has sent shivers among the people residing in the area.
In recent times the labourers working in coffee estate and the school going children encountered elephants on their way and have seen playful herds destroying paddy, areca and banana crops in and around Erale and Cherala villages.
Villagers along with forest departmental staff have made several attempts to drive them back into forest only to find them resurface again in few days.
The farmers, labourers and children are a worried lot with no clues on how to proceed with the impending danger of elephant attack which can occur at any time.
Big Cat unleashes terror
During last week the forest department officials managed to trap two leopards, one in Naganahalli in Kotthegala GP limits and the other in Aswal village in Hunsur taluk.
It has become quite common for animals like leopards to stray in human habitat in search of farm animals like cows and goats. Though they were caught and left in the forest on previous occasions, the menace continues.
The leopards are intelligent animals and are able to escape from human traps. In Aswal village alone, many cows and goats went missing in the last couple of days. The villagers were more worried when they found the pug marks of the wild animal in the village limits.
Worried villagers unable to bear the brunt of leopard attacks complained to the forest officials who placed cage trap at Shantharaj’s farm in Aswal village. Finally second leopard was caught when it went in search of irresistible food inside the cage.
Team of forest officials led by ACF Prasanna Kumar arrived at the spot and took the five area old leopard to Nagarhole reserve forest and released it in the wild.
