A woman died after she was crushed during a clash between two trained elephants at Dubari camp in Karnataka’s Kodagu district after one of the animals lost balance and fell on her, officials said on Monday.
A video of the incident, showing the elephants fighting, is now circulating on social media.
What happened?
Tulasi, 33, a tourist from Tamil Nadu, died in the accident while standing near the river and watching elephants bathing, officials told news agency PTI.
According to officials, the two trained elephants, Kangan and Marthanda, started fighting while bathing.
Mahouts tried to control the situation, but Kangan rushed towards Marthanda and beat him. Then Marthanda lost her balance and fell.
The woman was trapped under the elephant and died. Meanwhile, Tulasi’s husband and child, who were standing next to her, escaped without injuries, according to media reports.
Karnataka state minister orders investigation
Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Ishwar Khandre expressed grief over the incident and ordered a detailed investigation. He also instructed officials to ensure that people stay a safe distance from wildlife.
Khandari described the incident as very shocking and said it was “extremely painful.” He offered prayers for the departed soul and strength to the affected woman’s family to cope with the loss.
According to a statement issued by his office, the minister directed officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation and put in place the necessary steps to avoid such incidents in the future.
Khandre also said that even trained elephants and other wild animals can react in unexpected ways, and it is not always possible to understand or predict their behavior.
He instructed the officials to stop activities such as allowing people to touch the elephants’ trunk, standing next to them to take pictures, bathing the elephants, or feeding them jaggery, bananas and other food items.
He also directed the authorities to ensure that tourists maintain the required safe distance from wildlife, the statement added.
Previous accidents
Earlier in March this year, two people were killed in separate wild elephant attacks in Assam’s Nagaon district, police said. They added that many local residents were injured in various elephant attacks in the area.
Local residents said the herd first entered the Bajiagaon area of Samagori in search of food, but then turned aggressive after villagers tried to chase the animals away.
Meanwhile, in Karnataka in March, a 49-year-old coffee farmer was killed in an elephant attack near Siddapura in Virajpet taluk in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
With input from agencies
