Bhubaneswar: Two wild elephants were spotted near Bharatpur reserve forest area in the outskirts of the state capital Saturday.
The elephants were seen taking bath and playing inside a water body for more than 45 minutes. A large number of people gathered near the place to witness the activities of the wild animals.
However, locals of the area are in a state of panic after coming to know that the presence of pachyderms near the human habitations.
On the other hand, Divisional Forest Officer Kedar Swain informed that there is no reason to panic as the area is surrounded by wire fencing and boundary wall that will prevent the animals from entering into the human settlements.
It is suspected that the elephants might have come from Bharatpur forest as five of them were spotted in the area Friday. However, forest and police personnel have been alerted and the movements of the animals are being closely monitored, Swain added.
PNN