Wild Rhino Attempts to Overturn Safari Vehicle in Assam

A rhinoceros aggressively charged and struck a safari jeep carrying tourists at Manas National Park, with dramatic footage of the incident quickly going viral online.

The video has reignited debate around wildlife tourism practices and concerns over safari vehicles getting too close to animals in their natural habitats.

A safari ride inside Assam’s Manas National Park turned terrifying after a rhinoceros suddenly charged at a tourist jeep and appeared to try overturning it, with panicked screams echoing through the forest as the dramatic moment was caught on camera.

The viral video, filmed in the park’s Bansbari range, showed an open safari jeep standing close to a rhino when the animal abruptly turned aggressive. Within seconds, the rhino charged straight at the vehicle, ramming its horn into the side of the jeep with considerable force.

As tourists screamed in fear, the animal continued pushing and attacking the vehicle, causing it to shake violently. Dust was seen flying around the jeep while the driver attempts to slowly reverse and navigate away from the enraged animal without triggering a worse reaction.

At one point, the rhino tried lifting or flipping the jeep, creating a tense few seconds for everyone onboard. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the driver eventually managed to move the tourists to safety.

The video has since spread widely across social media, with users calling the visuals both frightening and sobering. Many pointed out that encounters with wild animals can quickly become dangerous, especially when vehicles move too close to them during safaris.

Others noted that rhinos, like many wild animals, may react aggressively when they feel threatened, cornered, or disturbed in their habitat.

The incident has also reignited concerns surrounding safari behaviour and wildlife tourism in India. In recent years, several videos from national parks have surfaced online showing safari vehicles crowding animals for photographs or attempting to get unusually close views.

Indian Forest Service officers and wildlife experts have repeatedly issued warnings on social media, urging tourists and safari operators to maintain safe distances from animals and avoid disturbing them for videos or photographs. Many have stressed that such close encounters not only endanger human lives but also place unnecessary stress on wildlife in protected habitats.