Hampapura: Two persons had a narrow escape after being attacked by a wild elephant while on a morning walk at Hampapura village in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district on Friday.
The injured have been identified as Siddegowda of Hampapura and Marilinga of Madduru village in Mysuru taluk.
Sudden encounter with wild jumbo
According to reports, the duo had gone for their routine morning walk when a wild elephant suddenly emerged onto the road from a nearby field. Startled by the unexpected encounter, both men attempted to flee the spot.
However, in their attempt to escape, they slipped and fell, leaving them vulnerable. The elephant then attacked them using its trunk, causing injuries.
Villagers’ response averts further danger
Hearing their cries for help, local residents rushed towards the spot. The commotion is believed to have scared the elephant, which fled from the area soon after the incident.
The timely response of the villagers is said to have prevented a more serious outcome.
Forest officials shift injured to hospital
Range Forest Officer Ravikumar and his team reached the location promptly after being alerted. The injured were shifted to a private hospital in Mysuru for treatment.
Officials stated that both individuals sustained minor injuries and are currently recovering.
Elephant movement under watch
Speaking on the incident, Ravikumar said that the victims are senior citizens and were relatively weak, but are out of danger. He added that the elephant is suspected to have strayed from the Saragur forest region.
Forest department personnel are closely monitoring the movement of the animal to prevent further incidents. Authorities have also indicated that a rescue or capture operation may be initiated if the elephant continues to pose a threat to residents.
Rising human-wildlife conflict concerns
The incident highlights the growing concern over human-wildlife conflict in forest fringe areas of Mysuru district. Encounters between villagers and wild animals, particularly elephants, have become more frequent, raising safety concerns for residents.
Officials have urged people living in such areas to exercise caution, especially during early morning and late evening hours when animal movement is more likely.
Conclusion
While the victims escaped with minor injuries, the incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by residents in areas close to forest zones. With forest officials monitoring the situation, further steps may be taken to ensure the safety of both people and wildlife.