Madikeri: The forest department officials conducted an operation to drive back wild elephants that were camping in Abhyatmangala, Attimangala and Katibane coffee plantations and wreaking havoc.A herd of wild elephants was camping in the coffee plantations in Abhyatmangala, Katibane and Arekadu under the jurisdiction of the Kushalnagar range forest. The villagers demanded that the herd be driven back into the forest as they were roaming in populated areas.Due to the rise in the water level in Cauvery river, some wild elephants have moved towards the village forest as they could not cross the river, foresters said. One elephant was seen roaming in the residential area of MG Colony in Nellihudikeri village, which was captured on a CCTV camera.During the rescue operation, 26 elephants, including 8 calves, were found in the herd. The elephants with their calves, separated from the group, are staying inside the coffee plantation of Abhyathmangala village.
