Elephant herd triggers panic in Chittoor village again

A 13-member herd of wild elephants camping in a valley surrounded by forested hills along the Andhra Pradesh–Tamil Nadu border triggered fresh panic among residents of Muttavallur village in Gudipala mandal, about 15 km from Chittoor, after straying into human habitations on Friday night.

The herd moved freely through the village and surrounding agricultural fields from late Friday night till the early hours of Saturday, sending villagers into a state of alarm.

Forest Range Officer M. Pattabhi led a kumki operation using trained elephants and brought temporary relief to residents by driving the herd back into the valley, which has been serving as its refuge for the past several weeks. Forest officials said the crop damage caused during the latest incursion is yet to be assessed. The kumki operation is being closely monitored by Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan.

Mr. Pattabhi said the department was preparing a strategic action plan to gradually drive the herd back towards its migratory route leading to the Karnataka forests. He appealed to villagers of Muttavallur and nearby hamlets, as well as residents of Panatur village located to the south of the valley, to avoid night-time vigils in agricultural fields until the situation stabilises.

On Saturday morning, the FRO led a 40-member forest team to inspect the terrain and identify possible exit routes that could help guide the herd away from human settlements. The kumkis are being kept ready for deployment at short notice.

Officials said the operation is progressing cautiously as the herd includes two calves only a couple of months old. According to Mr. Pattabhi, one male elephant in the herd has been displaying aggressive behaviour towards the kumkis.

The officer said the valley currently provides sufficient fodder and water due to dense vegetation and a minor stream. However, these resources are expected to dry up by the end of March as temperatures in the region rise, which could naturally push the herd to resume its migratory path in search of cooler habitats, fodder and water sources. By then, the calves are also expected to move more steadily with the herd.

Mr. Pattabhi advised villagers, particularly farmers, to avoid wearing white clothing during night-time hours and urged two-wheeler riders to exercise caution while travelling on rural roads in Gudipala mandal.

He ruled out the use of tranquillisers to capture or relocate the elephants, calling it a risky option in the hilly terrain. Tranquilizing an elephant in such slope-filled valleys can be dangerous, as the animal may suffer a fatal fall, he said.