3 weeks ago
1
A tourer from Tamil Nadu died aft being caught successful a clash betwixt 2 captive elephants astatine the fashionable Dubare Elephant Camp adjacent Kushalnagar successful Kodagu territory connected Monday (May 18, 2026), prompting the State authorities to initiate a information reappraisal and see stricter regulations for visitors interacting with elephants.
The victim, identified arsenic Tulasi (33), was reportedly watching the elephants being bathed successful the Cauvery stream erstwhile the incidental occurred astatine the camp, 1 of Kodagu’s large tourer attractions that houses respective captive elephants.
According to officials, captive elephants Kanjan and Marthanda got into a tussle during a bathing league astatine the camp. Despite efforts by the mahouts to bring the concern nether control, Kanjan allegedly charged astatine Marthanda, causing the second to suffer equilibrium and collapse.
Tulasi, who was lasting adjacent watching the activity, got trapped beneath the elephant and died.
Video footage of the incidental shows a antheral carrying a child, who was adjacent the unfortunate erstwhile the mishap occurred, escaping unharmed. However, helium could not rescue the pistillate contempt attempting to help, arsenic the elephant had fallen connected her.
The concern was aboriginal brought nether power aft different mahouts and kavadis rushed to calm the elephants.
The incidental triggered panic among visitors astatine the campy arsenic they ran for information pursuing the clash. The campy attracts tourists passim the year.
Khandre condoles death
Meanwhile, Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre expressed grief implicit the decease and described the incidental arsenic “shocking”.
“Officials informed maine that the pistillate was watching the elephants being bathed adjacent the stream erstwhile the mishap occurred,” the Minister said portion offering condolences to the bereaved family.
In a statement, Mr. Khandre termed the incidental an unforeseen calamity and said a elaborate enquiry had been ordered to ascertain the circumstances starring to the mishap and forestall akin incidents successful future.
Restrictions connected close-contact activities
The tourist’s decease has besides prompted the authorities to determination towards tighter information measures astatine elephant camps and wildlife tourism centres.
Pointing retired that carnal behaviour tin stay unpredictable adjacent among trained oregon captive elephants, the Minister directed officials to analyse restrictions connected close-contact tourer activities. These see touching elephants’ trunks, posing for photographs beside them, participating successful elephant bathing activities, and feeding them jaggery, bananas oregon different nutrient items.
The authorities is besides expected to framework stricter protocols requiring tourists to support a prescribed region from elephants and different wildlife astatine camps and tourer facilities.
