This is the terrifying moment an elephant charges at a bungling tourist and tramples him in a reserve after he tried to take a selfie.

The man, identified by authorities as R. Basavaraju, reportedly trespassed into a restricted forest near the Bankapur temple in Karnataka, southwest India, on Sunday.

He allegedly tried to take a photo with a tusker but was sent running for his life when the beast directed its fury at him.

Dramatic footage shows the aggressive pachyderm trumpeting its trunk as it thundered across the road to chase the fleeing tourist.

It quickly caught up to Basavaraju when he tripped and fell on the pavement, his pants and underwear sliding down his waist. He was briefly kicked by the animal, but escaped without being crushed to death.

The elephant then returned to the wilderness, leaving him splayed out in shock on the road.

Witness Daniel Osorio said the elephant was eating carrots by the roadside when the man approached and attempted to take a selfie. However, the sudden bright flash startled the animal, provoking it to charge.

Forest officials said they tracked down Basavaraju at his home in Nanjangud town.

Basavaraju was fined 25,000 Rupees (212 GBP) and made to record a video confession, admitting his actions stemmed from ignorance of wildlife safety rules.

He also warned other tourists not to make the same mistake.

The Forest Department said: 'Such reckless stunts not only endanger human lives but also provoke unpredictable and dangerous animal behaviour.'

The Indian sub-continent has at least 30,000 wild elephants - more than any other country and approximately 60 per cent of the world's entire Asian elephant population.

(1 GBP = 118 INR)