Residents of Hulikal and nearby villages in Arkalgud taluk were in a shock on Friday as a lone tusker was spotted roaming close to residential habitats.

The animal had separated from its herd and was first spotted near Kastur Ba Residential School at Hulikal, leaving the students and villagers in panic. As the news of the elephant roaming near the village spread, hundreds of people from neighbouring areas rushed to the village.

Vinay Chandra, Range Forest Officer of Arkalgud, told The Hindu that the animal was spotted in an areca farm near Hulikal around 7.45 a.m. “The animal has come all the way from Gangavara in Kodagu district. It got stuck in the farm and was unable to return to its place. We have successfully driven it back to Gangavara,” he said.

Four people, including three women, suffered injuries as they ran after noticing the elephant. Manjunath, 48, who was working in the farm, fell into a canal near the farm while escaping and suffered serious injuries. He has been admitted to a private hospital in Hassan. “Three women in a coffee estate at Valalagudu also got worried as the animal moved to their estate. While running from the place, they fell and suffered minor injuries,” the officer said.

The injured have been admitted to hospitals in Hassan.