A woman sustained minor injuries when a wild elephant, in search of drinking water, suddenly charged into a group of tourists at Sangama, the scenic confluence of the Arkavathi and Cauvery rivers in Bengaluru South district on Friday afternoon. Sangama, a popular picnic spot located approximately 100 kilometers from Bengaluru, witnessed a rare and frightening event.
Incident Details
A video of the incident shows the tusker rushing towards the river as tourists screamed and ran in all directions. A middle-aged woman, who was facing away from the approaching elephant, failed to notice the danger. Before she could react, the elephant pushed her aside with its trunk and continued forward. Fortunately, the woman sustained only minor injuries. Sources indicated that if the elephant had trampled her or struck her with its trunk, the consequences could have been far more severe. The woman was promptly taken to a local government hospital, where she received medical treatment.
Panic Among Tourists
At the time of the incident, there were over 100 tourists, including women and children, present at the site. Many of them fled in panic, leaving behind their lunch boxes, water bottles, and packed clothes on the riverbank. The sudden appearance of the tusker caused chaos and confusion among the visitors.
Elephant's Behavior
According to sources, the elephant, taken aback by the crowd, dashed away with its trunk held upwards and tail curled. It headed towards the jungle on the opposite bank, where it stood for nearly 20 minutes before disappearing into the forest. “The tusker came to drink water, but it was a rare incident as elephants do not usually visit this particular spot, which is frequented by tourists,” sources added.
This unusual event has raised concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the region, especially as elephants venture closer to human settlements in search of water and food. Authorities have urged tourists to remain vigilant and avoid littering or leaving food items that might attract wildlife.
