A wild tusker spotted near the Jayadev Vatika near Khandagiri in the city on Friday night triggered panic among the locals. They informed the authorities and the park was closed on Saturday as a precautionary measure.
A part of the Jayadev Vatika boundary wall was also found damaged by the elephant.
Bhubaneswar Forest Range Officer Govind Chandra Baral said that the jumbo, which had been driven away from the OUAT horticulture farm at Ghatikia on Wednesday, entered into the Jayadev Vatika.
“We have decided to drive the elephant out of the park after 3 pm as elephants tend to move out of the forest in the afternoon. All measures are being taken to prevent any loss to lives and properties by the elephant,” added Baral.
Jayadev Vatika in-charge Pramod Kumar Sahoo said alert staffs cordoned off the park to avoid any untoward incident. He said the park would be opened for visitors after Forest Department personnel drive away the animal.