Woman describes being bitten by elephant at resort in Bali
"It was a vacation that I was dreaming about, and it did come to a screaming halt at the very end," said Beth Bogar.
"It was a vacation that I was dreaming about, and it did come to a screaming halt at the very end," said Beth Bogar.
"It was a vacation that I was dreaming about, and it did come to a screaming halt at the very end," said Beth Bogar.
Beth and Les Bogar of New Hampshire, spent over a year planning their trip of a lifetime to Bali.
The globe-trotting couple was thrilled to be able to end their trip was a memorable experience getting up close with elephants at the Mason Elephant Park & Lodge.
"It was a vacation that I was dreaming about, and it did come to a screaming halt at the very end," Beth Bogar said.
However, their dream trip took an abrupt turn, after Beth said she was hurt during a photo opportunity with an elephant. She had just finished swimming with the elephant and riding on its back, when Beth reported that the elephant's trainer had her come over to take photos.
Beth told sister station WMUR that the trainer was instructing her on how to pose with the elephant. He suggested that she put her arm under the elephant's trunk.
"When I was with my trainer, we did speak while I was riding, and he said he had been with the elephant for 24 years. He knew this elephant. I just feel as though he was guiding me and he (let) my arm get too close to his mouth and I didn't know how close too close was," Beth said.
Suddenly, Beth said that her arm was "pushed" into the elephant's mouth, leaving her trapped.
"I couldn't get my arm out. I could just hear cracking and I just started to panic," Bogar said.
Although she was initially brought to the front office to ice her arm, eventually, her injury began to swell, and she was rushed to a hospital an hour away. With her arm crushed, she had to have emergency surgery.
"The doctor was able to go in there are plates, there's screws, and everything is put back together. But it's gonna be a long road," Beth said.
At first, the resort promised in emails to the family, which were reviewed by WMUR, to investigate the incident and help pay for approximately half of the $10,000 medical bill. However, the Bogar family reported that their team has suddenly stopped responding to their calls and messages.
"[They] were assuring us all the while that don't worry, we have insurance. We can handle this situation. We'll get you taken care of," Les Bogar said.
The family said they knew the risks coming into the experience, and they do not blame the elephant at all. However, they are frustrated by the lack of action from the resort.
"I just wish that they could have been a little more helpful," Beth said.
She said she hopes people will think about all the risks before heading out on their next adventure.
"Just think twice before you add something like this to your itinerary, because in a split second, your entire trip can really be changed, and not just your trip, but you're entire life," Beth said.
WMUR repeatedly reached out to Mason Elephant Park & Lodge for comment, but a representative from their team did not immediately respond.