Latest news with #RBasavaraj
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Bandipur elephant attack: Karnataka man fined ₹25,000 for violating wildlife rules
A dangerous attempt to take a selfie with a wild elephant in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve ended in chaos, injury, and a heavy fine for a man who flouted wildlife protection rules. The entire episode was captured on video by a foreign tourist, who posted it on Instagram. ((Instagram/thales_yoga)) The incident occurred on Sunday evening on National Highway 67, which cuts through the protected reserve and strictly prohibits vehicles from stopping. The man, identified as R Basavaraj, a resident of Nanjangud, was briefly detained by forest officials on Monday after a viral video showed him being chased and stomped on by an elephant, Indian Express reported. The animal reportedly charged after Basavaraj tried to approach it for a selfie. While he managed to escape with only minor injuries, the elephant's aggression caused panic and briefly disrupted traffic on the highway. (Also Read: Elephant charges at thrill-seeking man trying to take photo. Foreigner films terrifying moment in Bandipur) According to S. Prabhakaran, Deputy Conservator of Forests and Director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Basavaraj admitted to violating the park's rules after being taken into custody. He was fined ₹25,000, and forest officers also took a written undertaking from him promising not to engage in similar behaviour again, the report further added. In a video shared later by the forest department, Basavaraj issued a cautionary statement to other tourists. 'I was returning from Bankapura temple when I saw the elephant on the highway. I tried to take a selfie, and it chased and attacked me. I urge others not to stop vehicles, get down for any reason, or offer food to wild animals,' he said. The entire episode was captured on video by a foreign tourist, who posted it on Instagram. The clip shows a calm elephant feeding on carrots dropped from a passing truck while vehicles wait patiently at a distance. The peaceful scene quickly turned dangerous when, according to a witness, Basavaraj used a camera with flash, startling the animal into charging. (Also Read: Man goes on rampage at Bengaluru burger outlet, damages property: Report)
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
Karnataka man briefly detained, fined Rs 25,000 for trying to click selfie with elephant in Bandipur reserve
Officers with the Karnataka Forest Department on Monday briefly detained a man who sustained injuries while trying to click a selfie with a wild elephant on the national highway that passes through the Bandipur Tiger Reserve where vehicles are strictly prohibited from stopping. A fine of Rs 25,000 was imposed on the man, and officers also took an undertaking from him that he would not indulge in such acts again. According to forest department officers, R Basavaraj, a resident of Nanjangud, was attacked by the wild elephant on NH 67 at around 5.30 pm on Sunday. He escaped with minor injuries though the elephant chased him for a distance and is also seen stomping on him in a video that soon went viral. The incident briefly affected traffic on the stretch. Forest officers soon launched a search for Basavaraj and took him into custody from his residence on Monday. S Prabhakaran, Deputy Conservator of Forests and Director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, said that on being questioned, he admitted to having flouted the reserve's rules. In a video recorded subsequently, Basavaraj is seen issuing a warning to other tourists. 'I was returning from Bankapura temple when I spotted the elephant on the highway. I went near the animal and was trying to take a selfie when it chased and attacked me. No one should be involved in such acts. Don't stop vehicles on highways that pass through forests. Do not get down to attend nature's call. Do not offer food to wild animals,' he said. On learning about the incident, Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre directed officers to deploy patrol vehicles on highways similar to the patrolling system inside the forest. Stern action should be taken against those who violate norms by offering food to wild animals, disembarking from vehicles, speeding on such stretches, and driving negligently, he stated.
