March 18, 2016 Friday

Angry elephant in India - level 3

A rickshaw got on the wrong side of this elephant. The world's largest mammal went on a rampage during a festival in India's southern Kerala State, attacking nearly 27 vehicles parked near a temple.

Tethered by the tusk along with 4 other elephants, this one broke free and started flinging parked vehicles, including rickshaws and motorbikes, around.

Throughout the strop, two people clinged to the back of the animal, but were unable to calm it down. In India festivals like these often book hundreds of captive elephants to attract crowds, but accidents aren't uncommon.

The group here seem to be somewhat captivated by the destruction caused by the mammal. Aside from a few broken motors, no one was injured.

Difficult words: rickshaw (a light two-wheeled passenger vehicle pulled by a person), go on a rampage (to be very angry and destroy things), tethered (tied by chains), tusk (one of the two elephant’s horns in the front of its face), fling (to throw), cling (to hang on), captivated (to be interested in).