Madikeri: The Dubare Elephant Camp is on high alert and closed for tourists as a tamed bull elephant in its musth (a condition marked by heightened aggression and unpredictable behaviour during mating season) has escaped into the forest.

People in and around Dubare Elephant Camp have been asked to move to safer places.

The escaped elephant is 37-year-old Gopi, which participates in Mysuru Dasara. Mahouts are restlessly trying to bring back the animal to the camp as there is a high chance of it indulging in fights with the wild elephants in the forest, which could prove dangerous.

As many as 26 elephants from Dubare Elephant Camp have been shifted elsewhere. “It will take around 10 days for the elephant’s behaviour to get back to normal, and the elephant camp and surrounding places will be on high alert until then,” said Wildlife Division Medical Officer Dr. Mujeeb.