JOIN USSpecial treatment for jumbos ahead of Gajapayana
Range forest officer Ravindra Kumar and veterinarian Dr Nagaraj said that jumbos including 53-year-old Balarama and 50-year-old Abhimanyu have been given special food for the past one and half months.
Special treatment is also being accorded to other jumbos in Balle, Sunkadakatte, Doddamasthi and K Gudi camps.
Howdah carrier
Balarama is expected to carry the Golden howdah during this year too.
The 2.7 meter tall pachyderm was captured in 1987 from the Kattepura forest in Kodagu district.
It has been carrying the golden howdah for last 12 years. The elephant’s right eye is partially blind from its birth, says Dr Nagaraj.
Even though forest department collected details about conducting surgery, it didn’t take the risk as there has been no record of such an operation being undertaken anywhere in the world.
The first batch of elephants include 45-year-old Arjuna, 15-year-old Ganga, 55-year-old Gajendra, 69-year-old Sarala and 56-year-old Mary.
New entrants
Two elephants from Dubare elephant camp - 33-year-old Cauvery and 29-year-old Gopi - will participate for the first time in Dasara festival.