ANANTAPUR: People from Ratnagiri historic hill and fort and surrounding areas in Rolla mandal in the district had surprise guests from Karnataka forest when two big elephants entered near M. Rayapyaram and Cherlopalle villages into Rolla mandal in Anantapur district from Sira reserved forest. Madakasira area has generally been known for severe drought and rain deficit conditions for many centuries. There were historic notes, however, that Vijayanagar king Sri Krishnadevaraya had shifted gold, diamonds and other treasures loaded on elephants from Hampi when he came under attack by Muslim rulers at that time.
Otherwise there were no instances of elephants in the Penukonda area.
"We saw elephants in the area after many centuries and will provide necessary measures for their safety," MLC Gundumala Thippeswamy said. Anantapur DFO K. Chandrasekhar told DC that the elephants entered from Karnataka. "There is one male and another female. They are aged about 15 years." He added that people were asked to maintain distance from the elephants to avoid untoward incidents. The DFO also said that the area is with suitable climatic conditions for the elephants because of water ponds and food. The couple had enjoyed at Cherlopalle tank.
