Elephant Accosts Individual in Karnataka While He's Attempting to Capture a Picture on Video
Tourist's Close Encounter with Wild Elephant in Bandipur Tiger Reserve Sparks Outcry
A recent incident in Karnataka's Bandipur Tiger Reserve has sparked criticism and concern, as a tourist from Kerala had a close encounter with a wild elephant. The incident, which was captured on camera and has since gone viral on social media platforms, highlights the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations set in place to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife.
The video shows an elephant charging at a man standing near the roadside bushes. The man, who was attempting to take a close-up photograph of an elephant eating carrots from a passing truck, used a camera with a flash to take the photo, startling the animal. The elephant pinned the man down as onlookers screamed to scare the animal away. The man panicked, ran, stumbled, and fell on the road during the encounter.
The incident occurred on a road crowded with vehicles and people, making the situation even more dangerous. A white car stopped abruptly to let the charging elephant pass. The recent encounter is similar to the dangerous behavior warned against by an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer in January. The officer's warning was in response to a video showing a man annoying an elephant.
The rules of wildlife reserves clearly state that visitors must remain inside their vehicles. The key rules and guidelines for safely photographing wildlife, especially elephants, in Bandipur Tiger Reserve include not stopping or getting out of vehicles on National Highway 67 that runs through the reserve, as stopping is strictly prohibited and causes dangerous situations. Visitors must remain inside vehicles and avoid approaching or disturbing elephants to prevent aggressive encounters.
Safari rides are conducted with expert naturalists guiding visitors and promoting safe wildlife viewing without disturbing the animals. Safaris are generally permitted during specific time windows (6:30 AM - 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM) and are "photography friendly" within the bounds of safety and conservation regulations.
The warning emphasized the importance of following the rules of wildlife reserves and letting trained authorities handle situations. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve encounter is a strong reminder of the need to follow these rules. Attempts to take selfies or photos by approaching wild elephants have resulted in incidents of animal aggression, injuries, and hefty fines. The forest department strictly enforces rules that prohibit parking vehicles inside the forest or on the highway through the reserve, exiting vehicles to photograph or feed animals, and stopping vehicles on roads cutting through the reserve.
In summary, the safest and allowed practice is to photograph elephants and other wildlife from inside vehicles without stopping or approaching the animals, strictly following the instructions of forest officials and naturalists in Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Violations can lead to fines, injury, and disruption of wildlife. It is crucial for visitors to prioritize safety and respect the rules set in place to protect both humans and wildlife.
Despite the thrill of capturing a close-up photograph, disregarding rules within wildlife reserves can lead to dangerous encounters, as shown in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve incident. For safe and allowed practice, visitors should adhere to guidelines such as photographing wildlife from inside their vehicles and avoiding approaching or disturbing elephants during safari rides in Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
