Q&A for How to Survive a Charging Elephant

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Does an elephant gets scared by the noise of a car?

Community Answer

Yes, elephants are scared of loud noises.

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Question

If I stab the elephant with my ninja sword, is that a better idea than running away?

Community Answer

No. A sword is likely not enough to stop the elephant and may only enrage it further.

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Question

How can I escape an elephant attack in a mountain area?

Community Answer

Look for the nearest big rock, and climb to the top (like a tree). Wait there and call for help, or escape when the elephant loses interest in you.

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Question

Will an elephant chase after you in the water, or swim? Can they swim?

Community Answer

Yes. In fact, they are experts at it and can use their trunks as snorkels. Fun fact: Pigs can swim, too.

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Question

How do I survive an elephant attacking a car at night?

Community Answer

If the car is on, driving away is the best option. If you're on a rocky terrain or unable to drive away, I would suggest trying to make loud noises with the car like honking or revving the engine. This might scare the elephant away. If that doesn't work, try to escape the car without the elephant seeing you and get to an area where you're safe.

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Question

Will making a fire or using firecrackers near elephants makes us safe from attack?

ConnorFisher

Community Answer

Not necessarily, no. While the loud noises produced by firecrackers may scare off elephants, they may also be inclined to attack the source of the unknown sounds. Curious elephants may also be drawn to a fire to see what's caused it.

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Question

How fast can an elephant run?

Community Answer

An elephant can run 10 to 15 miles per hour for short spurts but possibly up to 25 miles per hour at their fastest. They can not keep that speed up for very long.

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Question

What happens if you scream as hard as you can and take few steps towards an elephant as you would towards a predator?

ConnorFisher

Community Answer

If the elephant is making a mock charge, that would likely be enough to drive it off. However, don't take too many steps towards the elephant, or it may think that you're attacking it. It's better to remain still while shouting.

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Question

What happens if there is more than one elephant?

Community Answer

Follow the same steps here; they can be applied to more than one.

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Question

Do elephants eat people?

Community Answer

No, elephants are herbivores, which means that they are total vegetarians. They do not eat people and they do not eat flesh.

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Question

Can you scare the elephant away by shooting it with a handgun? Or only specialized hunting guns could do the trick?

ConnorFisher

Community Answer

Handguns aren't strong enough to seriously hurt an elephant. If you shoot an elephant with a handgun, you'll only make it angry. But, if you fire into the air (or ground), the loud sound may help to drive off a charging elephant.

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Question

When are elephants in musth?

ConnorFisher

Community Answer

Musth is a state that bull elephants enter when they're ready to reproduce. Bull elephants in musth have very high levels of testosterone and can be extremely aggressive. There's no specific season or time of year in which elephants are in musth. But, look high on an elephant's head up behind its eye: if you see a fluid draining down the side of its face, the elephant is in musth.

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Question

Can I scare it with water?

ConnorFisher

Community Answer

No. Elephants are strong swimmers and often spend time in the water. You will not be able to scare off an elephant using water.

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Question

How can an elephant attack a man when he climbs high in a tree?

Community Answer

It may charge the tree and knock you out of it. Other than that, a tree would be safer than the ground where you could be trampled.

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Question

Can I use fire to escape from an elephant attack?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Animals are usually scared of fire, but it would be hard to find fire in the middle of a jungle.

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Question

Why would an elephant charge at you?

Community Answer

There are many reasons, either you somehow threatened the elephant or its baby, or they perceive you as a predator, or the elephant is scared and trying to flee.

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Question

What makes an elephant charge in the first place?

Community Answer

An elephant will charge if it feels threatened, or if it feels its babies are being threatened.

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Question

What if I don't know how to climb?

Community Answer

Then avoid this option and follow the other on-the-ground steps mentioned above.

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Question

Are elephants scared of a group of people?

Community Answer

They could be. Sooner or later they will get used to you, but do not do anything to make them mad.

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Question

If I climb a tree, will the elephant knock it down?

Community Answer

Yes, the elephant will attempt to knock you off the tree.

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Question

Does singing count as a scary noise?

Community Answer

It does not matter if the noise you make is scary. Elephants have sensitive ears, if the sound you're making is loud, it doesn't matter if you're singing, shouting, etc., it should work.

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Question

How can I tell if an elephant is going to charge at me?

Community Answer

You see if the elephants trunk is curved or not. If it is, it is more likely to charge at you. Also, see if its ears are rested (open,wide). If not, it's also more likely to attack you.

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Question

Is there a side a charging elephant won't turn toward?

Community Answer

Most charging elephants will not turn to their left, as that is the side they keep their children on. If they turn to the left, they risk crushing their newborn.

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Question

Will an elephant kill a person to defend itself?

Community Answer

An elephant may attack to defend itself or keep people away, but its intent is not to kill. However, they're extremely large and strong, so may unintentionally kill those it attacks.

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Question

Will a machine gun of any specific kind kill or scare the elephant?

Community Answer

It may scare an elephant if shot into the air, but it's unlikely to kill one.

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Question

If I don't move or make noise, will an elephant not see me?

Community Answer

No, that's a T-Rex you're thinking of. Elephants are not blind, they can see you just fine even when you're standing still. Your best bet is to stay downwind.

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Question

If I jump over the ditch will the elephant fall in the ditch?

Community Answer

Elephants along with rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses can't jump so that means the elephant will go around it. Go up on a mound or a sturdy tree if at all possible.

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Question

What would a charging elephant do if I bowed down to it? Would I be less threatening?

Community Answer

No, the elephant would attack you. Stopping won't really make a change, or it could possibly feel more threatened.

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Question

During the run for survival, uphill run or downhill will be more safe? In other way, which direction is difficult for elephant to run?

Community Answer

Elephants can't climb up steep slopes and hills because they are heavy. They would tire themselves out if they went up, so uphill is a fairly good bet. It will also allow you to keep an eye on them.

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