Tusker in Cuttack triggers panic

CUTTACK: Forest department officials struggled for hours to drive away a
tusker, which strayed into CDA area in early hours of Monday, but in vain.

The tusker hid itself in a cashew orchard and stayed put there. Panic
gripped the residents after the tusker was spotted in Sector 9 of CDA
residential area. Residents contacted forest officials to chase away the
tusker.

A team of 12 forest officials rushed to the spot and were trying to chase
the tusker away using firecrackers when last reports came in. Most of
scared residents stayed indoors in the daytime. A forest official said a
herd of 22 elephants were moving in Athagarh forest range. The tusker
was separated from the herd and entered the residential area.

Forest range officer, Phulnakhara, Asit Mishra , who was present at the spot said, "We suspect the tusker strayed into the CDA area when it approached the Mahanadi river. We are trying to send back the tusker to the herd."

Experts said herd migrated to neighbouring forest in search of food and water.

Meanwhile, the district administration has asked the CDA residents to stay at home

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