Mangaluru: In a dramatic encounter early Friday morning, an autorickshaw was severely damaged after being attacked by a wild elephant in Boliyaru, Dharmasthala village. Fortunately, the driver narrowly escaped.
The incident occurred around 5:30 am when autorickshaw driver Dinesh was en route from his home to Dharmasthala. As he approached the road near his residence, he unexpectedly came across a herd of wild elephants blocking his path.
Startled by the sudden sight of the animals, Dinesh quickly abandoned his rickshaw and ran to safety. The herd, seemingly alarmed by the vehicle left in the middle of the road, reacted aggressively.
One of the elephants charged at the autorickshaw, crushing it under its weight. The vehicle sustained extensive damage during the assault. The herd then pushed the mangled rickshaw into a nearby roadside drain before continuing on their way.
Local residents alerted authorities, and Forest Department officials arrived shortly after to assess the situation. The presence of elephants so close to human settlements has raised fresh concerns about increasing man-animal conflict in the region.
Officials are expected to monitor the movement of the herd to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of the villagers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this encounter, though the autorickshaw was completely wrecked.
Authorities have urged locals to remain cautious and report any sightings of wild animals immediately.
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