A Forest Department worker was injured by a tusker when it charged at him near Veeranahosahalli on the outskirts of Nagarahole National Park on Wednesday.
The victim, identified as Madan, was a driver attached to the Rapid Response Teamof the department and was engaged in driving a herd of elephants that was crossing the forest boundary.
When the residents of the hamlet at Veeranahosahalli noticed the elephant herd, they raised an alarm, and Forest Department staff reached the spot to launch an operation.
When one of the tusker charged towards the staff, Mr. Madan tried to dodge but stumbled and lost his balance. The elephant injured him, but Mr. Madan was saved by other guards who managed to distract the animal.
Manikantan, Chief Conservator of Forests, Nagarahole, said there were eight elephants in the herd, and the guards managed to drive them back into the jungles. He said Mr. Madan was rushed to a private hospital in Mysuru and was out of danger.
