Tourist Dies After Elephant Fight During Bathing at Karnataka Camp

Woman from Tamil Nadu crushed as tussle between two jumbos turns fatal at Dubare

A 33-year-old woman died after being crushed by an elephant during a fight between two jumbos at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Karnataka's Kodagu district. The incident occurred late morning while tourists were watching elephants being bathed in the river.

The victim has been identified as Tulasi, a resident of Tamil Nadu. She was standing near the water's edge when two elephants—named Kanjan and Martanda—suddenly became aggressive toward each other.

Chaotic Scene Unfolds

According to forest department officials, mahouts were present and attempted to control the elephants. But Kanjan launched an attack on Martanda. In the ensuing struggle, Martanda lost balance and toppled over, landing directly on Tulasi.

She died at the spot. A man and a child who had accompanied her narrowly escaped being crushed, officials confirmed.

Video Shows Desperate Attempt

Footage from the scene has since surfaced on social media. The clip shows a man pulling at Tulasi's clothing, trying to drag her out from beneath the elephant. By that point, however, she had already succumbed to her injuries.

The visuals have sparked anger and concern among local residents and frequent visitors to the camp, with many questioning safety protocols.

What Led to the Fight

Initial reports suggest the two elephants may have been agitated over territory or dominance. Such behaviour is not uncommon during bath time, when multiple elephants are brought to the same location.

Forest officials said Kanjan and Martanda have been separated following the incident. Both are captive elephants used for tourist interactions at the camp, which is managed by the forest department.

Camp Draws Visitors Year-Round

Dubare Elephant Camp, located along the banks of the Kaveri River, is a popular destination for domestic tourists. Activities include bathing, feeding, and walking alongside elephants. The camp operates under government supervision and has historically been considered safe.

This is not the first incident involving elephant aggression at the camp. Minor injuries have been reported in the past, though fatalities remain rare.

Officials Order Probe

The Kodagu district forest officer confirmed that an investigation has been initiated. Authorities are reviewing whether adequate safety measures were in place and whether mahouts responded appropriately.

Meanwhile, the victim's family has been notified, and officials are making arrangements to transport her remains to Tamil Nadu.

Public Reactions and Safety Concerns

Visitors at the camp at the time described scenes of panic. Some said warning signs or barriers near bathing areas could have prevented the tragedy.

Local tour operators have called for a temporary suspension of elephant bathing activities until safety protocols are reviewed. The forest department has not yet announced any changes to daily operations.