Coimbatore
Nearly 28 elephants from various temples and mutts from the State, participated in the camp, of which two were from Puducherry. The elephants began their return journey by lorries following a special ‘puja’.
Most of the elephants, who bonded with other jumbos during the retreat, were cajoled to board the lorries as they were in no mood to leave the premises. Mahouts claimed that all the jumbos were sad to leave as they became friendly with each other and they had a difficult time in getting the jumbos on the lorries. The pachyderms were seen caressing each other with their trunks before they set off on their journey back home.
Forest Minister Dindigul C Srinivasan, Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani and HR & CE Minister Sevvur S Ramachandran flagged off the return journey of elephants.
At the camp, the elephants were given nutritious food, special medical care, walking exercise and cool shower baths along the banks of river Bhavani. As the elephants stood for long hours, they were given foot baths with medicinal herbs.
Officials said that the treatment made significant improvement in the elephants’ health and have made them more active and they added that the elephants should be served with similar care even after their return to their homes.
A team of veterinary doctors examined the elephants before they left and prepared a chart to provide continuous medical treatment. Also, the health of mahouts was also taken care by deploying doctors at the camp site. Fortunately, the elephant camp concluded without any major intrusion by wild elephants, following enhanced vigil by the forestdepartment. The sprawling campsite was fixed with CCTV cameras, solar fence, watchtowers and continuous vigil was maintained to prevent unexpected conflicts.
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