Mobile capture an elephant moving around the fields of Mangapuram Srinivas near Tirupati on Monday evening. | Photo Credit: By Agreement
The Tirupati Temple City is clamped with fear after the herd of 11 elephants was dangerously near Srivarimette, one of the two routes for pedestrians to the sanctuary of Tirumal. The observation aroused the alarm clock between pilgrims and locals, especially after the recent incident, when the leopard couch attacked the two-wheel wheels near the Park Zoo on the Cherli-Alipiri road.
On Monday evening, damaged herd of elephants in Mangapuram near Tirupati. | Photo Credit: Kv Poornochandra Kumar
The presence of wild animals near both trekking tracks-Srivarimettu and Alipiri-in mind was concerned about the possible conflict of man and animal in this area. Srivarimette takes care of pilgrims coming from the western side, while Alipiri uses those from Eastern and southern regions.
The herd of elephants was first recorded around 20:30 on Monday near the pump near Srinivasa Mangapuram. Interestingly, their movement was a random discovery – captured drones originally deployed by forest officials to watch Red Sanders’ smugglers in the forest of Lesham.
The forest authorities quickly alerted higher officials who started the operation to take the Tuskers back to the deep forest. On Tuesday at 6:30 am, the herd trampled several mango and banana orchards.
Forest Nagapatla officials urged the devotees to be in groups of trekula and remain vigilant. Residents Srinivasa Mangapuram, Narasingapuram, Ramireddypalle, A. Rangamplet, as well as students and employees at Mohan Babu University (MBU), and commuting on the National Tirupati highway – Anantapur in their areas.
Representatives of the Chief Minister of Forest K. Pawan Kalyan took note of the situation and ordered forest officials to strengthen the patrol in forest marginal villages. During the teleconference, he ordered the establishment of WhatsApp groups in every affected village to facilitate the updates of the elephant movement in real time. Kalyan, who expressed his condolences over the death of farmers in a recent attack of elephants in the neighboring Chittoor district, warned officials against satisfaction and emphasized the need for proactive coordination between departments and communities.
Published – July 30, 2025 9:16
