Bengaluru morning walker killed in wild elephant attack; social media users flag habitat loss

A 60-year-old man named Nagaraj was fatally injured by a wild elephant while out for his daily morning walk in Bengaluru on Monday. The incident occurred around 5:30 AM near Rajarajeshwari Hospital on Mysuru Road. According to eye-witnesses, the elephant lifted Nagaraj with its trunk, threw him to the ground, and stepped on him before moving away.

Nagaraj was taken to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. CCTV footage of the area showed a morning jogger narrowly escaping the same elephant moments earlier. The elephant had wandered nearly 5 km outside of its usual forest habitat and into a populated area. Residents expressed their anger, accusing the forest department of negligence and demanding compensation for Nagaraj's family.

The forest minister visited the scene and promised compensation worth Rs 20 lakh. The attack highlights the growing issue of habitat loss due to urban expansion, with some social media users speculating that encroachment on animal territories is a contributing factor.