Tourists Encounter Wild Elephant during National Park Visit

9 June 2023 08:32 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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-The elephant overturned two of the three-wheelers and stomped on a motorcycle, causing significant damage

Foreign tourists exploring Sri Lankan wilderness had a close encounter with a wild elephant during their visit to a national park in Polonnaruwa. The group were traveling in three-wheelers when they came across the wild elephant near the roadside.

Video footage captured by the tourists shows the dramatic moment when they stopped their vehicles near the elephant, unaware of the imminent danger. Suddenly, the animal became agitated and charged them, causing damage to the vehicles.

The elephant overturned two of the three-wheelers and stomped on a motorcycle, causing significant damage. The two foreigners who were inside one of the three-wheelers managed to escape with minor injuries.

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Comments - 21

Tourist Friday, 09 June 2023 09:18 AM

Trash white who come as tourists on shoe string budget provide little FOREX to the country. But they continue to be involved in such foolish encounters with wild animals with little knowledge of harm they put themselves, others and the animal's behaviour.

Asanka Friday, 09 June 2023 10:49 AM

These guys should be severely warned about their behaviour. They agitated an animal who was peacefully strolling down the road by stopping and getting close to take photographs, which grabbed the attention of the animal. Trying to get some fun.

lester Friday, 09 June 2023 11:13 AM

government should revoke the visas of these type of tourist who abuse animals

German Friday, 09 June 2023 11:30 AM

For the first time I agree with you. But remember: Europeans are very different people than Americans or Australians.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 09 June 2023 11:16 AM

These foreigners are agitating the elephant and this should not be allowed. There immigration needs to be cancelled as a warning to other Tourists that they need to behave not only in front of our Citizens but also in front of our precious animals.

Common sense have to take precedence Friday, 09 June 2023 11:22 AM

Because of “ too much love for wild animals” by everyone concerned , no rational thinking by others is allowed. Every such visits by the locals or foreigners must be accompanied by armed security guard to deal with any unexpected dangers from the wild animals.

Andrew Saturday, 10 June 2023 01:14 PM

This is not in the national park. It's on the main road. Such reckless behavior

Hemantha Friday, 09 June 2023 01:53 PM

Tourists or beggars? Even we locals do not explore wildlife in ThreeWheelers.

From UK Friday, 09 June 2023 02:00 PM

I'm writing from the UK.The tourist board should immediately take steps to prevent this type of incidents. Had any untoward event happened ,Sri Lanka's tourism would have got blacklisted. Tourists should not be given license to drive in this type of restricted areas. Always should be driven about by experienced local drivers. Other issue is such safari is really so valuable experience to the Westerners but you are giving them free. After a certain place on this road ,they should be charged. These tourists were ungrateful to mention the generous help from our local people to them.

neil Friday, 09 June 2023 02:17 PM

If you really observed the video, you will see what they smoke. It is not necessary to be a tourist to act like this after that stuff

Jeremy Friday, 09 June 2023 03:20 PM

Nobody likes you guys and what you have done.

Have tourists done crime under any wildlife protection law Friday, 09 June 2023 04:10 PM

Tourists are harassing animals in National Park. The tourists should be charged for causing problems for their greed to take photos.

Anura Nanayakkara Friday, 09 June 2023 05:03 PM

These tourists behaviour towards Sri Lankan wild life should be condemned. Being foreigners they should know to respect the country, its wildlife and the people in Sri Lanka.

Tissa Fernando Friday, 09 June 2023 05:11 PM

They were getting a full meal fir Rs 360 which is 1 USD. How do these restaurant guys afford such low pricing. I thought that normally it should cost at least Rs 1500.

Why the racist ideas and trying to make poor suffer Saturday, 10 June 2023 11:07 AM

Are you based overseas or why so ignorant. How can you say such mad talk. 360 is still high price. Shops will go broke if tomorrow they charge insane high prices. And prices should come down, once import restrictions are lifted. Racist to charge differently based based on colour of skin, let alone by race or religion.

Maldivian Friday, 09 June 2023 05:17 PM

Srilankans don't need these type of cheap tourists who disregard to all laws out there. Your culture and heritage is richer than $1 back packers. I wonder where ever they came from would they be able to get breakfast for$1. Cheap b@#$%^÷//@. Authorities please regulate the industry before it is too late and maintain a standard.

Competitor country man jelous we have tourists Saturday, 10 June 2023 11:09 AM

Trying to even steal tourists who spend on a shoe string. The complaints are typical deceitful comments by competitors country man who would rather that money spent in their own nation, making it better for their own people.

DW Friday, 09 June 2023 07:45 PM

Sri Lanka has the worse financial crisis in the history yet they have all that energy to critisise those who bring foreign currency to this country. Secondly, those tourists did not in anyway abuse the elephant. You cannot have the patriotism and then beg Bangladesh for money.

wsw Saturday, 10 June 2023 10:00 AM

All these one dollar hippies, is this what we attract to our beautiful country? High end tourism in Sri Lanka similar to the Maldives will only remain a pipe dream.

wsw Saturday, 10 June 2023 10:05 AM

@DW, do you suggest they remain silent without expressing their true views simply because the government was compelled to borrow funds from an unlikely source?

I am not a tourist Saturday, 10 June 2023 10:31 AM

Though big hotels in the city might charge much more for a meal Rs. 360 is a lot of money by Sri Lanka standards. Thanks to the value of the US dollar. This is only a street food stall in a remote place in Sri Lanka where food is cheaper with no overheads.

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Tourists Encounter Wild Elephant during National Park Visit

Comments - 21

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