[wheelguy]

Originally Posted by BenjiRoss

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.

Had been there in November-December 2019 for a safari trip, it most probably is the same elephant that charged into our jeep, but luckily we escaped without any damages. The elephant is in its pregnancy, it is attacking everyone who is passing-by.

Didn't have many photos with me, as my friend did most of the clicking part while I just enjoyed the place, found few after some digging:

Our road that day. This one is clicked by my friend while the above not so good photos were clicked by me

[nkrishnap]

Originally Posted by wheelguy

it most probably is the same elephant that charged into our jeep, but luckily we escaped without any damages. The elephant is in its pregnancy, it is attacking everyone who is passing-by.

The elephant that attacked the truck is a tusker and this is female elephant. No doubting the fact that even this elephant can charge. But elephants before giving a charge there will be signs that the charge is coming which can help in ensuring that it does not get into a dangerous situation.

[fhdowntheline]

I think the title of this thread is misleading- Its the wild animals that need to survive the human onslaught of deforestation, highways-through-forest projects and encroachments. All the incidents/accidents are inevitable under the circumstances. I personally feel that all safari trips must be severely curtailed . It is evident from the current lockdown that when you give the other beings a wide berth, they are able to manage much better on their own. They respect the natural order, unlike human beings who always question orders.

[wheelguy]

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

The elephant that attacked the truck is a tusker and this is female elephant.

Good observation, I missed that detail.

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

No doubting the fact that even this elephant can charge. But elephants before giving a charge there will be signs that the charge is coming which can help in ensuring that it does not get into a dangerous situation.

It charged, we didn't see any signs, of course we don't know how to read those signs, but thanks to our guide-cum-jeep-driver who knew those signs that we survived, and also luckily we are far enough from the elephant to drive away from it.

We spotted the above elephant grazing calmly, but upon our arrival it suddenly started charging towards us, and surprisingly it backed off by itself, everything happened in a matter of few seconds, I can't recollect what our guide did and said at that moment that day, only thing I remember is we came back unscathed.

Originally Posted by fhdowntheline

Its the wild animals that need to survive the human onslaught of deforestation, highways-through-forest projects and encroachments. All the incidents/accidents are inevitable under the circumstances. I personally feel that all safari trips must be severely curtailed . It is evident from the current lockdown that when you give the other beings a wide berth, they are able to manage much better on their own. They respect the natural order, unlike human beings who always question orders.

Rightly said, we humans are encroaching into their spaces, we are damaging their habitat. Yes, we are disturbing the natural order while animals are respecting the natural order.

[condor]

Reported on Manorama online: a private bus driver Ambujakshan drives bus in reverse for 8 km when faced with an aggressive elephant coming from the opposite direction

https://twitter.com/i/status/1592696590766166018

A manormaonline report said that the private bus was plying on the Chalakudy-Valparai route in Thrissur and the incident happened at 9 am on Tuesday. The bus was reversed from Ambalapara to Anakkayam as there was no space to turn the vehicle on the narrow road. Tourist vehicles that followed the bus were diverted and after an hour of creating panic, the pachyderm left into the forest near Anakkayam area

[condor]

Guys, can anyone identify what footprints are these:





Suspect a hyena, but the heel pad impression doesnt look like one.