Bandipur Elephant Attack: Wild Tusker Chases Kerala Tourist in Viral Roadside Encounter

A Kerala tourist miraculously survived a Bandipur elephant attack in Karnataka's Bandipur Tiger Reserve after a charging tusker pushed him to the ground and pinned him under its foot. The man, who has not yet been identified, escaped with injuries when the elephant eventually retreated.

Viral Video Captures Frightening Moment

A viral video of the incident shows the wild elephant standing on a road lined with vehicles and people inside the Bandipur National Park. Moments later, the tusker suddenly charged at the tourist, who was walking on foot along the roadside.

On spotting the elephant, the man ran in panic. After a brief chase, he stumbled and fell, giving the elephant a chance to step on him. Fortunately, the animal retreated, sparing his life.

Risking your life for a selfie isn’t worth it.

A Kerala tourist in Bandipur learned the hard way after stepping out of his vehicle for a photo, only to be charged and trampled by a wild elephant.

Lucky to survive. 🐘🚫📸 #WildlifeSafety #Bandipur pic.twitter.com/1LJ3gYtGgz

— Gautam (@gautyou) August 11, 2025

Tourist Injured, Officials Investigating

The injured man was immediately rushed to hospital. Forest officials confirmed they are working to establish his identity and have warned tourists to avoid walking near wildlife. Bandipur is part of a vital wildlife corridor connecting Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, and is known for frequent human-wildlife conflict.

This latest Bandipur elephant attack adds to a string of wildlife-related incidents in the region:

February 2025: An elephant in Chamarajanagar chased two tourists after they tried to take a selfie with it. Both escaped unharmed.

December 2023: A partially devoured body of a man was found in Bandipur's Kundakere range, marking the third fatal tiger attack in the reserve that month.

Forest authorities have repeatedly urged visitors to follow safety protocols, remain inside vehicles, and never provoke or approach wild animals. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, and other wildlife, making caution critical for both human and animal safety.