In a last attempt to chase away wild elephants that have been frequently straying into human habitats near Madukkarai, forest officials are all set to deploy four Kumkis, or domesticated elephants, in the vicinity here in Coimbatore.

One of the four Kumkis, 40-year-old Vijay, was transported from Mudumalai to Navakkarai in Coimbatore on Sunday. Three more would be coming in the next few days.

Residential colonies around Madukkarai have been frequented by a wild elephant with a single tusk. The animal, which was recently seen with a younger elephant, crossing the Palakkad Highway, had stationed in residential areas and farmlands, posing a threat to human life.

Though the elephants have not injured any human beings in the recent past, the residents have been raising the issue with forest officials to do something about the property damage that the animals were causing.

“The chase will begin as soon as the Kumkis are ready. One of the elephants has returned into the jungle. It is the older elephant that is causing the trouble now, and it will be chased away soon,” a forest official said.