Two video clips recently went viral on social media showing two tourists being struck by an elephant after trying to touch it.

In one clip, a young woman touched the hip of an elephant when it was transporting some tourists on a sightseeing tour. The elephant immediately kicked her and she fell on the road.

In another clip, a man was recording himself touching the trunk of an elephant, saying "We can touch the elephants here," when the animal suddenly grabbed him with its trunk and then tossed him away.

The two tourists have shared the clips online and faced criticism from internet users about their dangerous acts.

A resident of Lak District, Y Ve, confirmed that the elephant in the clip belongs to his relatives.

"That is Na Tuc, a 45-year-old female elephant," Y Ve said. "Na Tuc has a mild character and has never attacked anybody. However, she might have been startled by the tourists and had an automatic reaction. Luckily the two tourists suffered no injuries."

Y Ve also said that visitors who want to take photos or interact with local elephants should ask their owners or caretakers and strictly follow instructions from them.

Lak District People's Committee has said that they are investigating the case.

In 2020, three tourists were injured when riding an elephant that suddenly ran to attack another elephant in Don Village. The same year, a mahout died after being attacked by an elephant in Lak District.

Dak Lak is currently home to 36 elephants, the largest number of domesticated elephants in the country, The province has co-operated with the Animals Asia Foundation to pilot a five-year elephant-friendly tourism programme which aims to better protect the animal.

Source: Dtinews