A herd of 13 wild jumbos that was spotted in Bage and surrounding villages have created jitters among the residents.

The elephants which were spotted in Bage on Sunday, had strayed into Yadehalli village on Monday and had destroyed crops worth lakhs of rupees.

Paddy, coffee and banana crops belonging to C Rudrrappa, G Basappagowda, Chinnamma, Venkataiah of Yadehalli and Malleshgowda, K S Jagadish of Aluvalli villages were destroyed.

The pachyderms had also stomped and uprooted coffee and banana plants at the land belonging to Palaksha of Gulagalale village.

By Monday evening the wild jumbos were said to be camping at a coffee plantation belonging to Mohan Chowta.

Shockingly, the elephants were said to have strayed into populated areas of the village and the residents had to run out of their houses due to fear. Though it had destroyed banana plants near the houses, it had not caused any damage to the buildings.

However, the Forest department officials said that the wild jumbos will be driven away to Malagalale forests via Bangalore-Mangalore National Highway after 8 pm.