Farmer injured in elephant attack in Bandipur forest range

Gundlupete: A farmer was injured in an elephant attack while guarding crops in Deshipura village, located in the Omkara Forest Range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.

The victim, Siddaraja Shetty (48), sustained injuries to his left hand and neck. He, along with Mahadeva Shetty, had set up a makeshift tarpaulin shelter by the roadside to guard the harvested crops.

Around 4 a.m. on Friday, a wild elephant entered the area in search of food. While feeding on the stored crops, it accidentally trampled Siddaraja Shetty, causing injuries.

Mahadeva Shetty managed to escape and started screaming, prompting the elephant to flee.

Forest officials from the Omkara Range rushed to the spot and shifted Siddaraja Shetty to the Taluk General Hospital for initial treatment. He was later referred to Chamarajanagar District Hospital for further care.

Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Suresh and his team visited the injured farmer at the hospital and assured him that the medical expenses would be covered.