Tusker enters residential area near Kanuvai

Coimbatore: A male elephant aged about 18-year-old entered residential areas at Ragavendra Nagar near Kanuvai on the city outskirts on Tuesday night. Residents immediately informed the Coimbatore forest range frontline staff, who rushed to the spot and started a drive to chase away the elephant into the reserve forest.

The wild tusker had been frequenting the area during the night hours. The elephant came out of the forest and crossed the Thadagam-Anaikatti road near Ragavendra Nagar. Subsequently, it entered the residential areas.

Residents and motorists alerted the Coimbatore forest range officer R Arun Kumar.

The frontline staff burst crackers to drive away the elephant towards the reserve forest. However, the elephant entered a maize field around 9.30 pm, according to the last report received before the paper was sent to press. Officials said that the wild elephant did not run away fearing crackers.

More than 10 frontline staff were stationed in the locality to drive away the elephant. Residents were asked to remain inside their houses.