Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady

Beltangady, Sep 23: An unusual wildlife sighting startled locals on Sunday afternoon when a solitary elephant was seen wading through the Mrityunjaya River near Mundaje Kapu along the Mangalore–Chikkamagaluru national highway.

The elephant was first noticed around 3 pm, and a bystander captured the rare scene on a mobile phone. Forest department officials, assisted by nearby residents, quickly acted to drive the animal safely back into the adjoining forest area.

This river stretch has a history of wildlife encounters. A forest department nursery once operated near the same spot but was relocated years ago after a herd of wild elephants went on a night-long rampage, destroying thousands of young plants.

Sunday’s incident once again highlighted the frequent movement of wild elephants through the region, which runs parallel to the busy national highway and remains a corridor for wildlife.

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