Earth moving vehicle driver scares jumbo herd in Chikkamagaluru, draws flak on social media

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

A video of the driver of an earth moving vehicle threatening to run over two elephants accompanied by a calf at Tanigebail forest range in Chikkamagaluru has gone viral.

The video was shot by those sitting on the earth moving machine who shared it in social media only to invite strong criticism from the public. In the video, the vehicle driver can be seen almost trying to run over the two female elephants and calf peacefully grazing inside the forest area.

Wildlife enthusiasts have always opposed the use of machinery inside forests for any work. However, the department had reportedly given a contract to a private individual to improve a stretch of road inside the forest.

While the work was going on, a herd of jumbos arrived and instead of keeping quiet as most people would do, the driver is seen trying to scare them.

The manner in which he threatened the pachyderms has not gone down well with activists who have demanded action against him.