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'Rowdy' Ranga: Elephant who roamed Karnataka forests dies in tragic mishap

Elephant Ranga, who was being trained to be a Howdah elephant during Mysuru Dasara celebrations, died in a road accident after being hit by a speeding bus near Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Thithimathi during the wee hours of Monday. The pachyderm suffered a spinal injury and breathed its last after struggling for about four hours, leaving people in tears.
Elephant Ranga, who was being trained to be a Howdah elephant during Mysuru Dasara celebrations, died in a road accident after being hit by a speeding bus near Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Thithimathi during the wee hours of Monday. The pachyderm suffered a spinal injury and breathed its last after struggling for about four hours, leaving people in tears. (Photo | EPS)
Elephant Ranga, who was being trained to be a Howdah elephant during Mysuru Dasara celebrations, died in a road accident after being hit by a speeding bus near Mathigodu Elephant Camp in Thithimathi during the wee hours of Monday. The pachyderm suffered a spinal injury and breathed its last after struggling for about four hours, leaving people in tears. (Photo | EPS)
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Ranga had just finished grazing around 3 am and was crossing the road near Anechowkuru range of Nagarhole reserve to get back to the elephant camp when a speeding private bus, commuting from Kannur to Bengaluru, hit him. The accident left him with a broken leg and hip, and he succumbed to injuries later. (Photo | EPS)
Ranga had just finished grazing around 3 am and was crossing the road near Anechowkuru range of Nagarhole reserve to get back to the elephant camp when a speeding private bus, commuting from Kannur to Bengaluru, hit him. The accident left him with a broken leg and hip, and he succumbed to injuries later. (Photo | EPS)
The bus from Kannur to Bengaluru which killed Ranga is pictured here. A case was later registered against the driver Ismail Nalkath Bin Khader under the Wildlife Protection Act. Ponnampet police had to intervene to control the villagers who rushed to the spot to see Ranga as he battled for his life. (Photo | EPS)
The bus from Kannur to Bengaluru which killed Ranga is pictured here. A case was later registered against the driver Ismail Nalkath Bin Khader under the Wildlife Protection Act. Ponnampet police had to intervene to control the villagers who rushed to the spot to see Ranga as he battled for his life. (Photo | EPS)
Tall, sturdy and majestic with strong tusks, he was nevertheless gentle and well behaved in the camp, according to forest officials. When he was free, he was an aggressive, independent animal and a born leader — leading a group of eight elephants and nicknamed ‘Rowdy Ranga’. But he became docile after his capture and relocation. (Photo | EPS)
Tall, sturdy and majestic with strong tusks, he was nevertheless gentle and well behaved in the camp, according to forest officials. When he was free, he was an aggressive, independent animal and a born leader — leading a group of eight elephants and nicknamed ‘Rowdy Ranga’. But he became docile after his capture and relocation. (Photo | EPS)
The adventurous elephant roamed four forest divisions with gay abandon in search of food and water. For eight months, he would be in Magadi or Nelamangala forest ranges while in May-June, he would come down to Bannerghatta (during musth) for mating with captive females. After Ranga killed a forest watcher in 2016, the forest department ordered his capture. (Photo | EPS)
The adventurous elephant roamed four forest divisions with gay abandon in search of food and water. For eight months, he would be in Magadi or Nelamangala forest ranges while in May-June, he would come down to Bannerghatta (during musth) for mating with captive females. After Ranga killed a forest watcher in 2016, the forest department ordered his capture. (Photo | EPS)
After a free and active life in the wild, Ranga (seen in picture) was kept in a kraal for seven months in Bannerghatta, tamed and domesticated to lead a captive life. (Photo | EPS)
After a free and active life in the wild, Ranga (seen in picture) was kept in a kraal for seven months in Bannerghatta, tamed and domesticated to lead a captive life. (Photo | EPS)
Conservationists told The New Indian Express that a year ago, an Indian Gaur was killed on this same spot after it was hit by a lorry. While they are aware it is not possible to stop traffic as there is no alternative route available, they call for mitigational measures such as putting speed breakers, awareness boards and holding awareness programmes, as well as punishing defaulters strictly. (In photo | Ranga, who once roamed the elephant paths around Bengaluru with his gang.)
Conservationists told The New Indian Express that a year ago, an Indian Gaur was killed on this same spot after it was hit by a lorry. While they are aware it is not possible to stop traffic as there is no alternative route available, they call for mitigational measures such as putting speed breakers, awareness boards and holding awareness programmes, as well as punishing defaulters strictly. (In photo | Ranga, who once roamed the elephant paths around Bengaluru with his gang.)
Karnataka elephant death
Elephant Ranga
Mathigodu elephant camp
Mysuru Dasara elephant
Howda elephant
elephant death India

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