This is the moment a rogue elephant came face-to-face with officials who were tracking it. <br /><br />While the elephant, Chinna Thambi did not make any attempt to attack them, the officials had no choice but to retreat.<br /><br />Chinna Thambi was captured and shifted from Thagadam forest after local villagers protested that it had become a menace with its crop-raiding habits. <br /><br />Instead of staying put in its new home at Varagaliar forest, Chinna Thambi is trekking across the region visiting villages and stopping at farms for lunch. <br /><br />Forest officials, who are following the radio-collared behemoth, have made several futile attempts to send it back to the forest. <br /><br />Since January 26, when Chinna Thambi was released, he has travelled more than 100 kms.<br /><br />Forest officials said Chinna Thambi was too used to raiding crops for an easy meal and will never stay in the forest.<br /><br />Tamil Nadu Forests Minister D C Sreenivasan said: "There is no other option left. It has to be captured again and tamed."
