Jungles will be attractive in films and photos. In real they are dangerous. It is not worth to take a snap of an elephant and a human life snapped for it. These adventurism should be totally avoided. We have to follow the instructions given by the sanctuary authorities completely. A guide is also a simple human being and he may know the path that leads us into and out of the jungle and definitely he can't predict an animal's path.
British tourist killed by jumbo in Mudumalai
UDHAGAMANDALAM: A 67-year-old British tourist from London was killed by a wildelephant at Masinagudi near Gudalur in the Nilgiris late Thursday evening. Two tourist guides who were with him managed to escape thejumbo and are presently in police custody.
Colin Manell, a British citizen, and Romi, a tourist guide he had hired in Kochi, had checked into a jungle resort owned by one Sagadevan at Masinagudi, about 12 km away from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, on Wednesday. On Thursday, Manell and Romi ventured into the jungle accompanied by Kumar, a local guide, according to police. They sighted a lone elephant during the trek and Manell took out his camera. Police suspect that the elephant got irritated with the flash light and charged at the men. The jumbo managed to strike Manell with its trunk while Romi and Kumar managed to flee. Manell sustained injuries on his head and chest.
The guides returned with help from the resort and Manell was rushed to Gudalur Government Hospital, where the doctors pronounced him dead. Manell's body has been kept at the mortuary in Gudalur GH. Post-mortem will be conducted on Friday. According to police, Manell had arrived in Kochi from London on September 13.
Police and forest department officials are not sure whether the incident happened in the reserve forest. "We will be able to ascertain whether the place is a reserve forest area or social forestry area only after we inspect the spot where the unfortunate incident happened," F Paulraj, inspector, Masinagudi police station, told TOI. Police are yet to register a case. "We will inspect the place overnight and we will register a case accordingly," said Paulraj.
Several resorts near the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Masinagudi and neighbouring villages lure tourists with the promise of night safaris to sight Asian elephants, tigers and leopards. Wildlife activists allege that jeeps from several resorts drive into the jungles with these tourists in violation of forest department rules and disturb the wildlife. They also put the tourists at risk, wildlife activists say.
Colin Manell, a British citizen, and Romi, a tourist guide he had hired in Kochi, had checked into a jungle resort owned by one Sagadevan at Masinagudi, about 12 km away from Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, on Wednesday. On Thursday, Manell and Romi ventured into the jungle accompanied by Kumar, a local guide, according to police. They sighted a lone elephant during the trek and Manell took out his camera. Police suspect that the elephant got irritated with the flash light and charged at the men. The jumbo managed to strike Manell with its trunk while Romi and Kumar managed to flee. Manell sustained injuries on his head and chest.
The guides returned with help from the resort and Manell was rushed to Gudalur Government Hospital, where the doctors pronounced him dead. Manell's body has been kept at the mortuary in Gudalur GH. Post-mortem will be conducted on Friday. According to police, Manell had arrived in Kochi from London on September 13.
Police and forest department officials are not sure whether the incident happened in the reserve forest. "We will be able to ascertain whether the place is a reserve forest area or social forestry area only after we inspect the spot where the unfortunate incident happened," F Paulraj, inspector, Masinagudi police station, told TOI. Police are yet to register a case. "We will inspect the place overnight and we will register a case accordingly," said Paulraj.
Several resorts near the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Masinagudi and neighbouring villages lure tourists with the promise of night safaris to sight Asian elephants, tigers and leopards. Wildlife activists allege that jeeps from several resorts drive into the jungles with these tourists in violation of forest department rules and disturb the wildlife. They also put the tourists at risk, wildlife activists say.
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