Elephant herd goes on rampage in Valparai hills

A group of elephants from the herd damaged a ration shop and devoured huge quantity of rice and other food stocks in the ration shop in Nallamudi residential area, on Tuesday night. 

On being informed by estate workers, the Manampalli forest range staff rushed to the spot and chased away the jumbos. However, they moved over to a neighbouring estate and are refusing to get back into the forest cover. Similarly, in Mudis, a herd of around 13 elephants strayed into Bazaar area and damaged a grocery shop owned by one Kathiresan. 

The elephants also got into a church and damaged some artefacts, window, pot plants and other valuables. Due to the presence of jumbos, the forest department has banned tourists from visiting Nallamudi viewpoint. 

The Forest department has also advised the public to be cautious and to avoid coming out after dark to prevent any encounter will the wild elephants.