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Safety during wild elephant encounters on rural roads

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L
Liam K.•10070 rep•2

We are renting a tuktuk. What is the absolute safest thing to do if we encounter a wild elephant blocking a rural dirt road.

6
wildlifetransportationsafety

8 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

STOP immediately. Turn off your engine and your headlights (if it is night). DO NOT honk your horn, flash lights, or shout. Wild elephants are easily startled and can easily crush a tuk-tuk. Keep a distance of at least 50 meters. Wait patiently for the elephant to cross the road into the jungle. If it walks toward you, put the tuk-tuk in reverse and back away slowly.

50
S
Suresh D.•9990 rep•1

NO! Throwing food teaches them to attack vehicles looking for more food. It is highly illegal.

40
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Suresh D.•9990 rep•1

Got it. Engine off, lights off, stay silent.

32
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Liam K.•10070 rep•2

Never try to speed past them. They move much faster than you think.

26
A
Amali S.•11430 rep•1

If locals in vans or trucks stop and wait, you do the exact same thing.

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Amali S.•11430 rep•1

Should we feed them to distract them.

14
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Liam K.•10070 rep•2

If the ears are flared out and the trunk is tucked, it means they are agitated. Back up fast.

8
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Chloe F.•9465 rep•2

We had this happen near Yala. We just sat in silence for 20 minutes until it moved. Terrifying but amazing.

6
C
Chloe F.•9465 rep•2

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