Elephant incidents in Indian festivals

Two separate incidents involving elephants during religious festivals in India caused disruption and injuries.

In Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, an elephant named Dhanraj attacked its handler and subsequently escaped into the streets for approximately 13 hours. The animal caused widespread destruction, including uprooting trees and damaging storefronts and utility poles, leading to power outages. Specialists from the Gorakhpur Zoo eventually subdued the elephant using tranquilizers.

In Shivamogga, Karnataka, an elephant named Somanna became agitated during the Dasara Jamboo Savari procession while carrying a silver howdah. The animal ran amok for over an hour, ramming into vehicles and causing the howdah to fall. The mahout sustained injuries during the attempt to pacify the animal. Forest Department veterinarians eventually tranquilized Somanna, who was then moved to a secure temple location to recover.

Following the chaos on Kote Road, where the elephant frightened by the crowd damaged a car and motorcycles, Karnataka’s Minister of Forest, Ecology, and Environment, Ramalinga Reddy, announced new protocols. He stated that elephants participating in such ceremonies will be required to undergo at least 20 days of training in the future.