Villagers in Sakleshpur in fear as lone tusker attacks two persons in Karnataka

Forest Department officials have appealed to the public to be cautious as the tusker has been roaming in nearby villages.

Residents of Ballupete, Kalkunda, Irukuhalli and neighbouring villages in Sakleshpur taluk of Karnataka have been living in fear for the past two days as a wild tusker is roaming in their locality. The animal attacked two agriculture labourers, leaving them injured, at Lakkunda on February 7.

The lone tusker is said to be responsible for the death of a labourer at Mattavara in Belur taluk in January. The residents have spotted the animal moving alone in the plantations, on busy roads, and human habitats. Earlier, it was part of a herd. However, recently, it had separated from the group.

Ramesh and Shaswath suffered injuries after the animal attacked them while they were working at an estate in Lakkunda. Ramesh is severely injured. He was taken to the government hospital in Sakleshpur before being shifted to Hassan.

Forest Department officials have appealed to the public to be cautious as the tusker has been roaming in nearby villages. The department abandoned the operation to capture wild elephants in January after the elephants that were meant to be captured gathered in a group deep in the forest. Now, the local people have demanded that the government capture problematic elephants and translocate them.