A tourist in Karnataka, India, was severely injured Sunday after attempting to take a selfie with a wild elephant, prompting renewed warnings from wildlife authorities about the dangers of approaching and provoking animals.

The incident occurred near a temple within a restricted forest area and was captured on video by other visitors.

Authorities identified the tourist as R. Basavaraju, who reportedly entered the restricted zone before encountering the elephant, which was eating carrots by the roadside.

Witnesses say Basavaraju positioned himself near the animal to take a photograph when a camera flash appeared to startle it.

According to bystander Daniel Osorio, the elephant immediately became agitated, raised its trunk, and charged across the road toward Basavaraju, causing nearby drivers to stop abruptly.

Video footage shows the elephant pursuing the man as he tried to flee.

Moments later, Basavaraju fell face-first onto the tarmac, where the elephant caught up with him and began stomping repeatedly.

The force of the attack was so severe that it tore off the man’s trousers and undergarments.

The elephant briefly hovered over the injured tourist before retreating into the forest, allowing others to assist him.

Basavaraju survived the attack and was taken to a local hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Following his release, Karnataka forest authorities fined him 25,000 rupees (approximately $285) for trespassing and provoking wildlife.

He was also ordered to record a video statement acknowledging that his actions violated safety regulations.

“This incident is a strong reminder to follow the rules of the wildlife reserves and to let trained authorities, not people on foot, handle situations like this,” Osorio told the Daily Mail.

In a statement, the Karnataka Forest Department condemned the behavior, emphasizing that trespassing in protected areas and disturbing wildlife can lead to dangerous and sometimes fatal encounters.

Officials noted that India’s elephant population — numbering over 30,000 — represents about 60 percent of the world’s Asian elephants, making the country a critical location for conservation efforts.

The department warned that human-wildlife conflict is on the rise, often due to tourists ignoring posted boundaries or seeking close interactions for photographs and videos.

While elephants are generally considered calm animals, experts say sudden movements, loud noises, or perceived threats can trigger aggressive behavior.

This latest case follows several other high-profile incidents involving elephants in India.

In one instance last year, a Russian tourist was thrown to the ground by an elephant named Gouri at the Amer Fort in Jaipur.

That same elephant had earlier injured a local shopkeeper.

Wildlife conservation groups have renewed calls for stronger penalties against individuals who provoke wild animals, arguing that such actions endanger both people and the animals themselves.

Advocates note that harassment of elephants can lead to injury, disrupt their natural behavior, and increase hostility toward humans.

The Forest Department says it will continue enforcement measures against trespassers and public education campaigns to reduce similar incidents in the future.

Basavaraju’s case, officials said, illustrates the serious consequences of ignoring safety protocols in areas where wild animals roam freely.