Tourist Nearly Trampled by Elephant in Bandipur After Risky Photo Attempt!
Kerala tourist seriously injured after provoking elephant for photo in Bandipur National Park.
A tourist from Kerala narrowly escaped a life-threatening attack by a wild tusker in Bandipur National Park, located in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, according to forest officials. The incident, which occurred on the national highway passing through the dense Bandipur forest, was captured in a viral video that has sparked widespread concern over tourist safety.
The tourist reportedly attempted to photograph an elephant that was eating tomatoes, provoking the animal to charge. In a terrifying sequence, the man ran but stumbled, allowing the elephant to pin him to the ground. Miraculously, the tusker retreated, leaving the tourist with injuries but alive. He was promptly rushed to a hospital, though his condition remains serious, and forest officials are working to confirm his identity.
The incident took place on the Ooty-Mysuru highway, a busy route where vehicles are prohibited from stopping due to wildlife risks. A video circulating on social media, recorded by bystanders, shows the elephant on a crowded road before it suddenly charged at the tourist walking along the roadside.
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This is not the first such incident in Bandipur, a key wildlife corridor connecting Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. In February 2025, two tourists were chased by an elephant after attempting a selfie, though they escaped unharmed. In December 2023, the park reported a fatal tiger attack, highlighting the region’s history of human-wildlife conflicts.
Prabhakaran, Director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, noted that the tourist fled the scene before officials could intervene. “We have alerted hospitals in Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala to report any elephant trampling cases,” he said, adding that the offender faces prosecution for violating safety protocols.
Forest authorities reiterated the importance of adhering to safety guidelines, urging tourists to remain inside vehicles and maintain a safe distance from wildlife to prevent such dangerous encounters.
