The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Another tusker strays into agency area

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Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Another tusker strays into agency area

Correspondent

VIZIANAGARAM: One more wild elephant from the Lakheri Sanctuary in Orissa entered G.L.Puram mandal in the district, putting the number of elephants that strayed into the agency region at two. About 10 days ago, forest officials spotted an elephant at Nadimguda, an interior tribal hamlet in the same mandal. The second elephant joined it at the same place on Monday, said Divisional Forest Officer B.V. Ramana Babu.

Talking to The Hindu on Tuesday, he said the two were in addition to the six elephants that made Donubai in Srikakulam district their home. Of the 11 elephants that strayed into Vizianagaram district in August last, three had died due to injuries, electrocution and transportation as part of ‘Operation Gaja’. While two had gone back to their habitation in Lakheri, six stayed back. The elephants had killed six persons in the district between August and October 30, 2007, when ‘Operation Gaja’ was suspended by the Forest Department.

The migration of elephants was reportedly due to illegal mining for iron ore near the sanctuary but the DFO did not confirm this except saying that the elephants usually move away due to disturbances near their habitations.

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