Krishnagiri: A heartwarming video of a herd of wild elephants, including calves, enjoying a refreshing bath in the Anchetty lake near Denkanikottai has gone viral across social media platforms.On Friday, two adult elephants and a calf descended into the Anchetty lake along the Denkanikottai-Anchetty road. The jumbos spent over half an hour splashing water and playing joyfully, offering a delightful sight to onlookers. Passersby and motorists paused at a safe distance to witness the spectacle, capturing the moment on their smartphones. The footage has since taken social media by storm.Sharing his excitement, M Senthil, a local who witnessed the scene, said, “It was an absolute treat to watch the baby elephant play in the water, and spraying the water with its trunk. We rarely get to see them this relaxed. However, we made sure to maintain a safe distance so as not to startle them.”While the visuals brought joy to netizens, the frequent movement of elephants has kept the local farming community on edge. A severe heatwave has gripped Krishnagiri district and its surrounding regions for the past few days, causing natural water sources deep within the reserve forests to dry up. Driven by thirst and a scarcity of fodder, herds of wild elephants have been venturing out of the forests.Earlier this week, a herd of over ten elephants, including young calves, brought traffic to a standstill as they crossed the busy Anchetty-Hogenakkal road, creating brief moments of anxiety among commuters. Meanwhile, forest officials also acknowledged a significant increase in elephant movement near hill villages such as Denkanikottai, Anchetty, and Jawalagiri, and assured that they are monitoring the situation.(Photos: S Parthiban)
