26 jumbos begin retreat at rejuvenation camp

Of the total 28 elephants participating in the camp, 22 are from temples run by the HR & CE Department and four are from mutts. Two more temple elephants from the Union Territory of Puducherry are expected to join in a day or two.

It was a treat to watch the elephants perform different tasks like carrying a bucket to bath and obeying orders of their mahouts. HR & CE Commissioner K Paneendra Reddy inaugurated the camp, which has entered into its 12th year. He fed the elephants with sugarcane and fruits.

Paneendra Reddy said that the government has sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for the rejuvenation camp. “A shower bath has been set up along the banks of river Bhavani. The elephants will be given nutritious food and medical intervention, if needed. They will be taken around for a 10-km walk twice a day during mornings and evenings at the camp site. Veterinarians have been deployed on a rotational basis to examine the health of the elephants on a daily basis,” he said.

The mahouts will also be given a refresher training programme to handle elephants with love and affection. The elephants were earlier given a cool bath, decorated and lined up for the inaugural event.

Mahouts said that the elephants, which have met after a year, began to show signs of remembrance and bonded well in a playful mood. Jumbo Sengamalam from the Rajagopalaswami temple at Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district turned out to be a special attraction with its bob cut. It also enthralled the public, who turned up in large numbers by playing mouth organ. Another elephant Gomathi from Sankaran Kovil played football with its mahout

The sprawling campsite, spread over nine acres, has been fixed with CCTVs, solar fencing and watch towers have been erected to keep round-the-clock vigil of the elephant camp.

A pet project of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, the rejuvenation camp started way back in 2003 to provide adequate rest for jumbos with nutritious food and medical treatment.