This is the terrifying moment an angry elephant charges at a tourist and tramples him on the road at a park reserve after he tried to take a picture with it up close.

The scary encounter was filmed by visitors in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, in the Indian state of Karnataka, and the footage emerged online on 11th August.

The video shows a large elephant standing on a road lined with stationary vehicles and people before suddenly charging at the tourist, who is walking on foot along the roadside.

The man is seen turning and running as the elephant closes in.

He stumbles and falls, and the tusker tramples him before pulling back.

The animal stands over him for a moment before moving away, allowing the tourist to get up and flee to safety.

Fortunately, the man survived and was taken to hospital with injuries.

A wild elephant attacks a tourist at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, India, undated. He was taken to hospital. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (Newsflash/NX)

According to witness Daniel Osorio, the elephant was eating carrots by the roadside when the man decided to approach the animal and tried to take a selfie.

But when he clicked on the camera, the sudden and bright flash startled the elephant and it charged at him.

Officials from the forest department are working to identify the man.

Stopping vehicles on the highway is prohibited under local regulations.

Osorio remarked: "This incident is a strong reminder to follow the rules of wildlife reserves and to let trained authorities, not people on foot, handle situations like this."

(Mike Leidig / newsX)