A sizable tusker, identified as belonging to a Maharashtra jungle through its collar ID, created a spectacle as it roamed through localities in Belagavi, Karnataka, sparking concerns about potential disturbances and the safety of residents.
The elephant entered Belagavi via the Bekkinkeri forest zone, embarking on a 10-hour journey through densely populated areas. Initially spotted by morning walkers in Kangrali BK town, the tusker continued its trek, passing through localities like Azam Nagar and Shahu Nagar.
Forest officials, prioritizing the safety of both the elephant and the local population, successfully guided the elephant back to the forest in Maharashtra from where it initially entered. The journey was not without challenges, as the tusker navigated through narrow lanes near an English medium school, even pulling out a seat cover from a two-wheeler and tossing it at a distance. Remarkably, the elephant avoided causing any damage to parked vehicles on the roads.
Prepared for potential risks, the forest department had anaesthetic injection pistols on standby. Fortunately, residents cooperated with the directives from the officials, preventing any confrontations or harm to either the elephant or people.
According to forest officials, this particular tusker is known to enter Karnataka once a year, typically roaming for 7-8 days in areas like Kakati, Hatti, and Bekkinkeri forests before returning to Maharashtra. This incident marked the first time the elephant ventured into Belagavi, leaving residents and officials with a memorable encounter.
