Officials are leaving no stone unturned to drive the herd including four tuskers back into the woods.
Two dasara elephants Abhimanyu, the trouble shooter during emergency like this, and Balarama, have been pressed for the operation.
After ensuring elephants to remain calmly at Kuppegala, operation was commenced around 3.30 pm. The massive animals were then driven into river Kapila (kabini) after alerting villagers. The elephants are now heading back into forest in the waters. At the time of going to press, elephants herd were in the waters near T Narasipura with officers guarding either side of banks.
DN Nagaraj, a vet, said we want elephant to return to forest through waters because it is safe. Therefore we’re guarding the banks with help of police, public and two tamed elephants. The nearest forest is Sathyamangala, which is some 15 away from T Narasipura. Vet claimed that elephants are good swimmers and it is safe is for us if elephants continue its journey in the waters.
DCF (territorial) Karikalan told TOI that more than 250 staff members including DCF from Mandya and Kollegala are on field ever since the elephants reappeared in Mysuru. We’re in the middle of the operation and hopeful of driving them into forest during the night. Villagers have been alerted to take precautions and not to venture out during night.
The DCF confirmed that it is same herd of elephant that were seen near Kuppegala on Tuesday.