Jumbo herd with the presence of calf worry farmers in Chittoor K Umashanker, The Hindu March 10, 2025 Farmers of Pulimadugu and Ragimanupenta villages of Bangarupalem mandal reported that a herd of wild elephants had ravaged their standing horticulture crops during the last two days. According to information, a 15-member herd emerging from the Tamil Nadu forests had entered the Bangarupalem mandal a few days ago. A fortnight ago, a newborn calf joined the herd, delaying their retreat. In this process, the herd lingered at the twin villages, resorting to crop raiding. The villagers alleged that the Forest department officials had not responded to their appeal to drive the pachyderms back into their habitat or to prevent their raids in the fields. A village elder said they would complain to District Collector Sumit Kumar. The farmers observed that due to the presence of wild elephants close to the fields, they were forced to abandon night vigils. They expressed concern for their safety after four elephants were about to enter human habitations. Meanwhile, the herd moved into the neighboring Yadamarri mandal, adjoining Chittoor mandal on Sunday. Area forest officials are camping close to the elephants and keep their movements under surveillance. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/jumbo-herd-with-the-presence-of-calf-worry-farmers-in-chittoor/article69313095.ece