Chennai Woman Killed After Being Trampled by Dasara Elephant ‘Kanjan’ at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu
Bengaluru/Kodagu: Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a Chennai tourist at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu district and announced strict new safety measures for elephant camps across the state.
In an official statement issued on May 18, 2026, the minister said the tragic incident occurred during elephant bathing activities at the Dubare camp in Kushalnagar taluk when a confrontation reportedly broke out between two elephants, causing the tourist to accidentally fall and get trapped beneath an elephant.
The deceased tourist had reportedly travelled from Chennai to Kodagu as part of a family trip.
Calling the incident “extremely painful,” Khandre stated that the Forest Department has already instructed authorities to temporarily suspend trekking route operations until Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are fully implemented for the safety of trekkers and tourists visiting eco-tourism destinations.
New SOP for Elephant Camps
The minister further directed officials to immediately formulate and enforce a separate SOP for elephant camps to ensure tourist safety.
Under the proposed guidelines:
- Tourists will not be allowed to go near elephants
- Visitors must maintain a minimum distance of 100 feet while watching elephant bathing activities
- Taking selfies or photographs near elephants will be prohibited
- Tourists will not be permitted to bathe elephants
- Feeding bananas, jaggery, sugarcane or any food items to elephants by hand will also be banned
Khandre directed officials to ensure that the new restrictions and safety rules come into effect immediately from Monday.
The incident at Dubare Elephant Camp has triggered fresh concerns over tourist safety and crowd management at elephant interaction zones in Karnataka’s popular eco-tourism destinations.
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