THIS is the unbelievable moment a man gets thrown to the ground by an elephant, leaving him seriously injured.
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Footage shows the animal – adorned with colourful decorations and chains around its legs – lowering itself so a man can climb onto its back.
The elephants grabs the man with its trunk and raises him into the air
In an instant the elephant hurls the man to the floor
The victim was rushed to hospital, suffering from serious injuries
As he scales the elephant’s side, two others steady the animal, with one man gripping its tusk.
Within seconds of the man settling on top, the elephant suddenly turns on one of the helpers.
Wrapping its trunk around the man’s leg, it hoists him into the air.
Terrified onlookers scream as the elephant then forcefully flings the man aside.
The victim, identified only as Vivek, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains in serious condition.
The attack took place during the Valiyavilakku festival in Kerala, India.
In the immediate aftermath, organisers temporarily suspended celebrations while the elephant was confined within the temple grounds to prevent further harm.
An elephant response squad was also deployed to assess the animal’s behaviour and safely remove it from the site.
The incident has reignited debate over the use of captive elephants in temple festivals across the region.
While elephants remain central to many traditional rituals, animal welfare experts warn that loud noises, dense crowds and physical handling can cause extreme stress.
This only increases the risk of dangerous incidents.
Authorities are now investigating the exact cause of the attack.
They are also expected to review safety protocols surrounding the handling of elephants at public festivals.
Unfortunately, this is the latest in a long line of violent incidents involving elephants.
Earlier this month, a herd of rampaging elephants trampled six people to death with the youngest victim being a three-month-old baby.
The newborn was killed alongside three members of its own family after the herd stormed a village in India as locals slept.
According to villagers, the herd arrived around midnight and tore through the houses, flattening everything in their way.
“They came suddenly and destroyed everything in their path,” one resident told local media.
Witnesses said the attack left residents terrified, with one elderly woman the sole survivor from her household.
Loudspeakers have since been installed to warn residents of any further danger.
The incident took place during a sacred festival in India
