A lady on vacation in Bali has revealed how she got her hand stuck in an elephant’s mouth during a “terrifying” ordeal that cost her $10,000 in medical bills.
Beth Bogar from Recent Hampshire was at the favored Mason Elephant Park & Lodge – Ubud’s only dedicated and licensed elephant rescue park – together with her husband Les last week when she got too near the elephant for comfort.
“I could not reach out. All I heard was crackling noises and I just began to panic,” Beth told an American TV station. WMUR concerning the bite.
![A woman on holiday in Bali has revealed how her hand got stuck in an elephant's mouth.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010954473.jpg)
The tourist said she had been posing next to the animal, taking instructions from its trainer for twenty-four years, before things took an unexpected turn.
Unsure of “how close was too close,” Beth said her arm “sucked” into the animal’s mouth.
“Once I was with my trainer, we talked while riding and he said he had been with an elephant for twenty-four years,” she told a TV station.
![Beth Bogar was with her husband at the popular Mason Elephant Park & Lodge in Ubud when she got too close to an elephant.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010954474.jpg)
“He knew this elephant. I just feel like he’s guiding me and he let my hand get too near his mouth and I didn’t understand how close it was too close.”
Beth, who was photographed in a blue bikini riding an elephant moments before the incident, didn’t turn out to be aware of the extent of the damage until several hours later.
She claimed she was taken to the middle’s office, where she was given ice to ease the pain.
![Finding her hand stuck in the elephant's mouth, Bugar was rushed to the hospital where she had to undergo emergency surgery,](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010954475.jpg)
But when her arm began to swell, she was rushed to a hospital greater than an hour away, where she underwent emergency surgery.
“The doctor can have come in,” she said, referring to the cut along her forearm.
“There are plates, there are screws and all the things has been put back together, but it’ll be an extended method to go.”
Beth claimed the middle promised in emails that were checked online that they might cover half of the $10,000 medical bill – she was eventually paid $4,800.
![The original treatment bill was $10,000, but the center covers half of the bill and Bogar paid $4,800.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010954470.jpg)
“[They] they assured us on a regular basis that don’t be concerned, we’ve got insurance. We are going to take care of this example. We’ll maintain you,” her husband Les told the tv station.
While she doesn’t blame the elephant for what happened, she warned other travelers of the risks.
“Think twice before adding something like this to your itinerary because in a fraction of a second your whole trip can really change, not only your trip but your whole life,” she said.
![](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000010954472.jpg)
News.com.au contacted Mason Elephant Park & Lodge for comment.
In line with the Mason Elephant Park website, it was created in response to the devastating situation in Sumatra, where rampant deforestation and poaching have reduced the native elephant population.
There are 30 critically endangered Sumatran elephants living in the park and shelter.
In 2019, it won the “Best Luxury Lodge” in Asia and the “Best Luxury Eco Safari Lodge” in the world on the World Luxury Hotel Awards.