This is the shocking moment an elephant stomps its trainer to death after being hit by a bamboo stick.
The 2,000-pound elephant stomped toward him in an open field at an elephant safari park in southern India.
The keeper was attacked by the 53-year-old elephant in the Kallar area of Kerala’s Idukki region on Thursday, moments after it viciously punched its legs and gave commands.
The assistant keeper, who tried to tie up the elephant, was severely trampled, collapsed and later died.
The assistant keeper is seen trying to tie up the elephant before the incident
The 2,000-pound elephant stomped toward him in an open field of an elephant safari park
The heartbreaking video showed the huge elephant smashing his trainer’s body after stomping on him. He is then thrown to the ground after grabbing his neck by the trunk.
The footage also shows a second man appearing as the elephant tries to kick him.
The trainer who died was 62-year-old M. Balakrishnan, who underwent a formal autopsy before his body was handed over to his relatives for the last rites.
Reports suggest that an investigation has been launched against the elephant safari park in light of the tragic incident.
The emergency closure of the park was ordered by the Forest Department.
According to local reports, AH Jalaludin, a resident of Erumeli in Kottayam district, was the owner of the elephant.
However, PK Raveendran, a resident of Kanjirappally, was the main caretaker of the elephant.
The elephant was housed at the Kerala Farm in Devikulam Taluk hamlet of Anaviratty for a safari.
Authorities said the closure of the park was necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of the elephants and to investigate possible violations of regulations governing elephant safaris.