Wild elephants wreak havoc in banana field

Erode: Three wild elephants damaged more than 500 banana trees on a two-acre field in the Sathyamangalam tiger reserve (STR) in Erode district early on Tuesday morning.
The incident took place at Karalavadi hamlet near Thalavadi. “Three elephants came out of the Jeerahalli forest and entered a banana field owned by R Udhayakumar, 48,” said a forest official from the Thalavadi forest range.
Udhayakumar, who was on night security duty at the field, was shocked on spotting the elephants. He alerted neighboring farmers and the night watchmen for help. They rushed to the spot and attempted to chase the herd from the field. “We used fireballs and burst crackers,” Udhayakumar said, adding that the elephants went back into the forest after an hour-long struggle.
Thalavadi forest officials assessed the damage caused to the banana field and assured the owner of compensation from the government. They have also registered a case and initiated an inquiry.