Dasara howdah elephant Arjuna suffers huge weight loss

Even as the authorities have been claiming that the howdah elephant Arjuna is physically fit and healthy to participate in Dasara-2017, the pachyderm has lost 300 kg of body weight as compared to the previous year. It is alleged that the caretakers of the elephant are not taking proper care due to a difference of opinion between them.

This time, Dasara will commence on September 21 and Jamboo Savari, the last leg of Dasara, will be held on September 30.

Arjuna weighs 5,250 kg, 300 kg less when compared to the previous year. Arjuna was 5,615 kg and 5,445 kg on his arrival to participate in Dasara 2016 and 2015, respectively. However, there is not much difference in weight of other elephants which arrived in the city along with Arjuna. Of eight elephants, Arjuna has lost maximum weight. While Abhimanyu has lost only five kg, Balarama lost 70 kg and Gajendra 20 kg. Abhimanyu is weighing 4,850 kg, Balarama weighs 4,990 kg, Gajendra weighs 2,820 kg, the first time Dasara participant Bheema weighs 3,410 kg, Varalakshmi weighs 2,830 kg and Kaveri weighs 2,820 kg.

Venu, the mahout and Sannappa (Mahesh) the kaavadi, are taking care of Arjuna since 2016 after Doddamasti, who was managing Arjuna, died at Balle haadi in D B Kuppe range of Nagarahole. Doddamasti served Arjuna for nearly 15 years.

According to a caretaker of another elephant in Balle camp, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Venu and Sannappa are not on good terms which has affected Arjuna’s health.

However, the officials claim that Arjuna is physically fit and will gain 600 to 800 kg before the Jamboo Savari on September 30. Arjuna had gained 255 kg while leaving Mysuru after performing in Dasara, last year.

All the elephants would be fed protein-rich food to improve their physical fitness. The elephants will be fed urad dal, green gram, wheat, boiled rice, onion, vegetables, rice, groundnut, coconut, jaggery and sugarcane during the rehearsals, which commenced on Saturday.

DH News Service