Elephants Kanjan and Marthanda fight during a bathing session at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu, which led to the tragic death of a woman tourist from Tamil Nadu on May 18, 2026.
| Photo Credit: PTI
A day after a fierce clash between captive elephants Kanjan and Marthanda at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu district, that claimed the life of a woman tourist from Chennai who was caught in the tussle in the Cauvery river, Marthanda (53), who had sustained serious injuries in the attack, succumbed on Tuesday (May 19).
The elephant’s death cast a pall of gloom over mahouts, kavadis and forest personnel at the popular elephant camp.
Kodagu district in-charge Minister N.S. Boseraju expressed grief over the death of the tourist from Tamil Nadu in the incident. Describing it as an unforeseen tragedy, he said such incidents should not recur in future and directed the district administration to take necessary preventive measures.
Mr. Boseraju also mourned the death of Marthanda. “The elephant had suffered severe injuries in the fight and was battling for life. However, it breathed its last on Tuesday morning,” he said.
The Minister announced that a compensation of ₹20 lakh would be provided to the victim’s family by the Forest Department.
Meanwhile, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre expressed deep sorrow over the death of Marthanda and termed the incident “unexpected and unimaginable”.
“The deaths of a woman tourist and an elephant in the mishap are deeply tragic,” he said in a statement.
Marthanda, a 53-year-old makna elephant weighing around 4,500 kg, had been captured in Alur taluk of Hassan district in 2023. Kanjan, a 26-year-old elephant captured near Yeslur in Hassan district in 2014, had participated in the Mysuru Dasara festivities on three occasions.
No Dasara duty for Kanjan
In the aftermath of the incident, Mr. Khandre directed the Forest Department not to use Kanjan for future Mysuru Dasara celebrations.
The incident at the Dubare Elephant Camp has triggered concern over visitor safety at elephant camps following the tragic incident during the elephants’ bathing session on May 18.
In the wake of the tragedy, the State government has initiated a review of safety protocols at elephant camps and is considering stricter regulations for tourists visiting such facilities.
Published – May 19, 2026 02:12 pm IST
