Jumbo safari resumes at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve after 4 months

The elephant camp was indefinitely closed on December 26, 2016, following the death of two resident pachyderms named Narmadha (aged 25) on December 1 and Bharathi (aged 9) on December 26. Tests on water samples collected from Moyar River, adjoining the camp, revealed that the jumbos had died of bacterial infection after drinking contaminated water.

The level of contamination was high with the river trickling into a stream due to drought. The camp was closed considering the safety of the remaining 22 resident elephants. The animals were taken to the Bambex camp and Bongaravayal camp, five to 10 km away from the Thekkampatti Camp. 

It was decided the camp would be reopened only after the water level in Moyar River improved. This had led to disappointment among tourists as the two other camps were located deep within the forests and they could not access them. However, heavy showers in the MTR and catchment areas over the last few days reflected in good improvement in the water and fodder conditions at the Thekkampatti Camp. 

On Saturday, the camp was reopened after remaining closed for 139 days. Eight camp elephants were brought there and it was decided the public would be allowed to view them from 8.30 am to 9.15 am and from 5.30 pm to 6.15 pm when the mahouts feed the elephants. The remaining jumbos are maintained at the Eetimaram camp and Bambex camp. 

Reopening of the camp and the resuming of the elephant safari gave tourists some respite as many were concerned if they would be able to enjoy the safari this summer.