Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu): A wild elephant was caught on camera taking a casual stroll along the Nilakkottai area near Cuddalore in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu on Saturday morning.
The elephant is believed to have strayed from the nearby forest areas.
Although the gentle giant did not perpetrate any damage to it's surrounding, the locals were alarmed and requested the forest department to drive the elephant back into the forest.
While it was worrisome and amusing for the onlookers, the elephant seemed nonchalant throughout his walk along the human-occupied territory which is ever expanding.
Tamil Nadu has been witnessing several human-elephant conflicts for the past several years. Forest officials and researchers attribute the conflict to changes in the land use pattern over the years.
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According to data compiled by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, 80 human deaths were recorded in the Coimbatore Forest Division from 2011 to October 2017. About 61 people were injured due to elephants.
Elephants have died due to multiple reasons induced by this conflict, including electrocution from electric fences.
