Trained Elephant Causes Panic in Karnataka Town After Fleeing Tiger-Tracking Operation

Videos that have surfaced show the elephant moving through a busy bus depot.

A trained elephant that was brought in to assist with a tiger-tracking operation caused significant panic when it entered a town in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district on Friday after being bitten by insects.

The elephant had been deployed to help track tigers near Gundlupet's Kallahalli in Chamarajanagar district. However, it became distressed due to the insect bites, causing it to run in confusion before eventually making its way into the main town area and bus depots.

Several videos have emerged showing the elephant wandering through a crowded bus depot. The unexpected sight of the large animal caused immediate panic among motorists and the general public. In one clip, a motorist can be seen quickly abandoning his two-wheeler as the elephant approaches him.

Forest Department officer Shivakumar from the Baper range explained that the elephant had simply lost its sense of direction following the insect bites and unintentionally entered the town.

"We are making efforts to capture and control the animal. It has now moved toward Madahalli, and fortunately no harm has been caused to the public," he stated.