[sukiwa]

I read on another biking group that this happened in 'Bandipur Tiger reserve' and not in Wayanad.

[jailbird_fynix]

Sir, this is already being discussed here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-s...ml#post4612971

PS - Not really a fan of sensational journalist articles like these being posted as new topics on Team-BHP. Last week, we had a similar one titled "Santro topples Endeavour".

[Samurai]

I think most people in the south did see this video on social media.

people riding the bike were Forest Department officials. They went to patrol the area upon receiving information about a tiger sighting.

This finally explains why the camera phone was already recording, they were expecting to see a tiger. Since they were forest officials, it also explains why they didn't lose their marbles while getting chased by a tiger. They would have had countless encounters with wild animals in their profession, and they could retain their composure.

BTW, as BHPians we gotta wonder which bike they were riding? To outrace a galloping tiger, which can reach a top speed of 65kmph very quickly, it would need a powerful bike.

[tharian]

Originally Posted by sukiwa

I read on another biking group that this happened in 'Bandipur Tiger reserve' and not in Wayanad.

Probably it happened on the Kerala side which falls under Wayanad district.

[Miyata]

I found it a bit strange that these guys had the nerve to turn around towards the tiger! Any one else would have flicked their wrist to take the bike as fast they can and not look back. Even if they were forest officials, I would imagine they ought to use a well protected vehicle. Why put your life on the line?

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Miyata

Even if they were forest officials, I would imagine they ought to use a well protected vehicle. Why put your life on the line?

They are used to walking through such forests all the time, so bike is an upgrade. During wildlife census they actually track tigers on foot, actively looking for them.

Here is what they do on foot if they encounter hostile tigers.

[bigron]

That Tiger sprinted fast. Considering these forest rangers have 100 cc commuters for patrolling, I am surprised the Tiger missed and that they could out accelerate him. Clearly it was something they had been exposed to numerous times given the way they dealt with it.

[Miyata]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Here is what they do on foot if they encounter hostile tigers.

That must have been one hell of an experience! Looking the tiger in the eye and holding its gaze for over an hour not knowing what is to come! Possibly among the longest hour in a person's life.

Thanks for sharing. Exhilarating just reading from the arm-chair!

[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by bigron

That Tiger sprinted fast. Considering these forest rangers have 100 cc commuters for patrolling, I am surprised the Tiger missed and that they could out accelerate him. Clearly it was something they had been exposed to numerous times given the way they dealt with it.

They are students, not forest rangers. This is Sultan Bathery-Pulpally road.

Report in Manorama - unfortunately is in Malayalam

https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/...xperience.html

[BenjiRoss]

There seems to be multiple threads on tackling animals while on the road. This seems the most appropriate. The location is shared as Nagarhole.

https://youtu.be/RnitlA7jjWU

I'm not sure what caused this incident, but it is scary. The elephant chases a reversing truck. In one swift motion, it rips the windshield (? bonnet) off and then just runs away. I wonder if they could have done anything once the elephant started charging.
News article: https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-n...673-2020-01-17
The damage:

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by BenjiRoss

There seems to be multiple threads on tackling animals while on the road. This seems the most appropriate. The location is shared as Nagarhole.

I'm not sure what caused this incident, but it is scary. The elephant chases a reversing truck. In one swift motion, it rips the windshield (? bonnet) off and then just runs away. I wonder if they could have done anything once the elephant started charging.

From my sources, this is what has happened. I have seen this place and can corelate to what my source explained. The tusker had ventured out of the forest boundaries and the forest department team were trying to push it back to the forest. A few crackers were burst to scare the elephant back to the forest, mind you this is a normal procedure to push/scare back elephant to the forest. However, post a few attempts this sort of took an unexpected turn. The repeated bursting of crackers made the tusker aggressive and charge the vehicle. Nothing much can done in such a kind of situation. Stopping could have been disastrous. The tusker has been pushed back to the forest as of now.

The more concerning thing is that the elephants in that area has sort of lost fear to the fire and crackers which is only going to increase the conflicts.

[BenjiRoss]

One way to survive is to obey officials when they hold traffic back when a wild elephant is passing through. This biker thinks he knows better and impatiently tried to force his way through while other vehicles wait. He almost pays the price as the elephant rushes him.

https://youtu.be/FhENqZHHVGY

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by BenjiRoss

This biker thinks he knows better and impatiently tried to force his way through while other vehicles wait.

And he got away with it, so he'll think it's fine to do it again.

Nothing Will Happen

[BenjiRoss]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

And he got away with it, so he'll think it's fine to do it again.

Nothing Will Happen

This is correct and noticed in all the bas drivers and accidents thread.
Eg. I have driven on the wrong side 100 times, Nothing will happen.
I've never worn seatbelts. I'm still alive. I'll be ok.
I'll taunt this elephant again. I'm a pro at it.

[sibitg]

Originally Posted by BenjiRoss

One way to survive is to obey officials when they hold traffic back when a wild elephant is passing through.

All vehicles kept their light ON. That means we need not switch off lights when waiting for elephant.