Cambodia: Elephant kills owner then chases 'girlfriend' into the forest

“It was like something out of a movie,” a local official said of the incident.

Bousra Falls, where the incident occurred.

On September 20, Cambodia Online reported that a tourist elephant that often carried tourists at a famous waterfall in Cambodia trampled its owner to death.

Panicked tourists stood around as the elephant threw the 55-year-old man, named Pop Sreang, high into the air, gored him with its tusks and then trampled him to death.

It then ran into the forest near Bousra Falls, Pech Chreada district in eastern Mondulkiri province, chasing a female elephant and has not been found yet.

A hunt for the angry elephant was launched, with rangers hoping to control it with tranquilizers.

The elephant carrying tourists trampled its owner to death.

The incident happened when Mr. Sreang went to the elephant's cage to lead it to tourists who wanted to ride it to the waterfall. But the elephant became angry and Mr. Sreang had a lot of difficulty controlling it.

Fifteen police officers and members of Mr Sreang's family as well as tourists witnessed the man climb onto the elephant's back to place a metal hook on its head to calm it down (something he often did).

“The angry elephant threw its owner into the air and onto the ground,” said Nuon Saron district official. “It then stabbed him with its tusks and trampled him to death.”

"Everything happened just like in the movies."

The incident happened when Mr. Sreang went to the elephant's stable to lead it to tourists who wanted to ride the elephant to the waterfall.

Police chased the elephant for about 90 meters but it then disappeared into the forest.

Officials said the elephant was chasing a female elephant in the forest that it knew, and it was mating season.

Police have patrolled the area around the waterfall to warn tourists and villagers to stay away.

“The elephant has been missing for a week and there is still no trace of it,” a police officer said. “We are equipped with tranquilizer guns in case we find it.”

According to Danviet