Gundlupet: Elephant calf killed in tiger attack on Bandipur-Ooty National Highway, traffic comes to a standstill

Gundlupet (Chamarajanagar): A baby elephant died after being attacked by a tiger along the Bandipur-Ooty National Highway in the Bandipur Sanctuary of Gundlupet taluk on Saturday.

According to eyewitnesses, the young calf was grazing by the roadside. Suddenly, a tiger swiftly pounced on it and killed it. Hearing the distressed cries of her offspring, the mother elephant rushed to the rescue. Seeing the angry mother, the predator retreated.

The grieving mother stood vigil over her deceased offspring on the roadside.

Fearful of being attacked by the elephant, motorists have been stopped from using the road and the traffic has come to a halt on the Bandipur route. Traffic jams were visible, stretching for kilometres along the highway.

Forest officials have started an operation to safely remove the calf’s remains from the road.