Forest Department personnel on Thursday morning began an operation to drive seven male elephants, which had strayed into Hunsur and K.R. Nagar taluks of the district, back to Nagarahole Tiger Reserve.
The herd of seven elephants had split into two groups near Veeranahosahalli forest in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve on Wednesday, and had headed off in different directions.
While a herd of five elephants strayed near Kuppekolla Gatta in Hunsur taluk, two of the elephants were spotted near Dornahalli in K.R. Nagar taluk.
Deputy Conservator of Forest (Mysore division) D.S. Goankar told The Hindu that staff from Mysore wildlife division and Hunsur wildlife division were driving the elephants back into the forests. More than 60 to 70 staff had been deployed for the operation.
The operation was suspended on Thursday evening. It will resume on Friday morning. The department has requested the public to cooperate with the staff.