Sullia: A scooter rider sustained an injury to his leg after being struck by shrapnel from a bullet reportedly fired into the air by Forest Department personnel while attempting to drive away a wild elephant at Bengamale in Aivarnadu village on the night of August 12.
The incident came to light only later. The injured man, identified as A Raghava Prabhu, a resident of Yenadka in Peruvaje village, is currently undergoing treatment as an inpatient at a hospital in Sullia. Forest Department officials have assured him that his medical expenses will be covered.
Wild elephant crosses road
According to Prabhu, he was returning home after completing bank-related work at around 7.30 pm on August 12 when he encountered a wild elephant crossing the road at Bengamale.
On noticing the elephant, Prabhu immediately turned his scooter around and began travelling back towards Sullia. At that point, Forest Department personnel who were present at the location reportedly fired a bullet into the air to scare away the elephant.
Prabhu said that shrapnel from the bullet struck his leg, causing an injury.
He reportedly showed the injury to the Forest Department personnel at the spot. However, he alleged that they dismissed the injury as minor and asked him to leave the area.
Pain worsens, surgery performed
Prabhu said the pain intensified the following day, prompting him to seek medical attention. He was subsequently admitted to a hospital in Sullia for treatment.
Doctors examined the injury and performed surgery to remove the shrapnel lodged in his leg. The procedure was reportedly successful, and Prabhu continues to remain admitted for further treatment.
Following the incident, Forest Department officials assured Prabhu that the expenses incurred for his medical treatment would be borne by the department.
Prabhu questions lack of warning
Prabhu has raised concerns over the manner in which the operation to drive away the elephant was carried out.
He said members of the public should have been alerted before Forest Department personnel resorted to firing to chase away the wild animal. According to him, the risk to motorists could have been reduced if people travelling along the road had been warned about the presence of the elephant and the planned operation.
He also suggested that traffic could have been temporarily stopped on both sides of the road while the elephant was being driven away.
Prabhu said such precautionary measures could have prevented the injury and ensured the safety of both motorists and Forest Department personnel.
Incident highlights human-wildlife conflict risks
The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by motorists and local residents in areas where wild elephants frequently move across roads.
Driving away elephants from inhabited areas and roads requires coordination between Forest Department personnel and the public, particularly when roads remain open to traffic. Adequate warnings and temporary traffic restrictions can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries during such operations.
In this case, Prabhu’s injury occurred while he was attempting to move away after noticing the elephant. The Forest Department’s assurance to cover his medical expenses has provided some relief to the injured rider.
The incident has also raised questions about safety protocols followed during operations to drive away wild elephants, especially when members of the public may still be present near the location.
As Prabhu recovers from his injury, the episode underlines the need for greater caution and timely public warnings during wildlife-control operations to prevent similar incidents in the future.