Keonjhar: The swollen Baitarani river has trapped a herd of nine elephants on a rocky outcrop as rising floodwaters have cut off its route to the other bank, forest officials said on Thursday.The herd, comprising a tusker, three females and five calves, has taken shelter near Tanda beat area in Patna range of Keonjhar forest division. Officials said the elephants tried to cross the river, but were forced to retreat because of the strong current.Forest department personnel are closely monitoring the herd’s movement. “The presence of several young calves appears to have made the herd reluctant to take the risk of crossing the river in the prevailing conditions,” a forest officer said.Sudipta Panda, assistant conservator of forests, Keonjhar, said villagers on the opposite bank burst crackers to prevent the herd from entering their area when the elephants were attempting to cross the river. “Frightened by the noise, the herd retreated and took shelter on a rocky patch in the middle of the river. We expect them to cross after water levels recede and conditions become favourable,” Panda said.
