Woman crushed to death as two elephants break into fight

A 33-year-old woman tourist died as an elephant fell on her after two elephants broke into a fight in the Cauvery River at the Dubare elephant camp

By Srivanth Yadav

Hyderabad: A 33-year-old woman tourist died on Monday after an elephant fell on her at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Karnataka’s Kodagu district.

---

The deceased was identified as Tulasi, a 33-year-old from Chennai, who was crushed by an elephant after it broke into a fight with another captive elephant during a bathing session in the Cauvery River at the Dubare elephant camp.

Marthanda, a 35-year-old male elephant weighing around 4,500 kg, which was also killed in the altercation had been captured in 2023 from Alur in Hassan district. The other elephant, involved in the fight was identified as a 26-year-old Kanjan, captured near Yesalur in Hassan district in 2014. It may be noted that Kanjan had participated in the Mysuru Dasara festivities on three occasions.

Mahouts and staff reportedly attempted to control the animals, but efforts to contain the fight failed. During the altercation, one of the elephants lost balance and fell onto the tourist. As the elephant repeatedly tried to get back up, Marthanda allegedly trampled her further, causing fatal injuries.

Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre expressed sorrow over the death of elephant Martanda. Calling it an unfortunate and unforeseen tragedy, Khandre said the deaths of both the tourist and an elephant in the incident were deeply painful and regrettable.

The minister ordered the preparation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure tourist safety at all elephant camps across the state and directed that tourists be allowed to watch elephants bathing from a distance of 100 feet.