Forest Dept warns tourists against teasing animals

With tourist arrivals picking up for the second season, the issue has again come into spotlight. “The green cover in the forest has begun to dry up due to heavy frosting. Hence, the wild elephants and animals come out of their core area and could be seen along the roadside more frequently. The tourists, unaware of the dangers, tend to disturb them by taking photos and raising noise,” said a staff of the Forest Department.

The tourists stop their vehicles and get down and try to go near them to take selfies by risking their lives. “During a few instances, the wild elephants had even chased such menacing tourists. Despite creating an awareness and placing warning boards, tourists continue to involve in such acts,” he added.

The Forest Department has proposed to crack down on tourists involving in such freak thrills by enhancing patrol and taking stringent measures. The drive is likely to prevent any unfortunate incident like in the case of a woman trekker being killed by a wild elephant in Coimbatore on Sunday.

On the same day, a herd of five elephants raided a ration shop and a provisional store at Carigmore Estate, near Thuthurmattam village in Coonoor. The elephant herd had been roaming around in the neighbourhood for more than a week.