A viral video showing a tourist being chased and attacked by a wild elephant in Karnataka, India, has sparked fresh warnings about the dangers of approaching wildlife.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 10, 2025, highlighting the growing issue of visitors ignoring safety rules in forested areas.
Terrifying Chase Captured on Video
The footage, recorded by bystanders, shows the tourist running along a busy road while the elephant gives chase.
During the chase, he tumbles onto the road, and the elephant quickly reaches him, trampling him and ripping off his trousers and underwear.
Miraculously, he survived the attack and was rushed to a hospital with severe injuries, NY Post reported.
The elephant eventually retreated into the forest, allowing him to escape.
Tourist Identified and Penalized
After investigating, authorities confirmed the tourist’s identity as R. Basavaraju and located him in Nanjangud, according to The Hindu.
Basavaraju admitted his reckless actions, expressed regret, and paid a fine of 25,000 rupees (approx. S$366.22).
He also recorded a video released by the Forest Department, urging people not to approach wild animals.
Witness Highlights Dangers of Selfie Culture
According to a witness, Basavaraju attempted to take a selfie with the elephant, which was eating carrots by the roadside at the time.
The camera flash startled the elephant, causing it to charge and trample the tourist.
Osorio emphasized the importance of following wildlife reserve rules and allowing trained authorities to handle such situations, stating that tourists should not approach animals on foot.
Watch the videos here:
@protothema.gr Τουρίστας πήγε να βγάλει selfie με ελέφαντα στην Ινδία και το μεγάλο ζώο τον ποδοπάτησε #protothema #greektiktok #tiktokgreece #india #elefantas
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