Mysore/Mysuru: “Capturing rogue elephants which are causing problems at villages in forest borders and taming them in a month is the aim of mahouts,” said Dasara elephant Kaveri’s mahout Dobi.

He was speaking at the seventh webinar of the series titled ‘Mysuru Dasara Aanegalu’ organised by Forest Department, in association with Asian Elephant Support (AES), on Sept. 29.

Speaking about Dubare Elephant Camp and other Dasara elephants, mahout Dobi said that the captured rouge elephants are being tamed at the kraal in Dubare Elephant Camp. He further said that every mahout take the challenge of bringing the captured rouge elephant under their control in a month and added that every mahout take care of the elephants housed in the camp with love and affection.

Pointing out that Dasara elephant Kaveri was taking part in Dasara festivities since many years, he said that not a single untoward incident had taken place and added that Kaveri has gained the confidence and love of every one.

Deputy Range Forest Officer (DRFO) Ranjan, who also spoke, said that Dubare Elephant Camp began during the days of Britishers and is the oldest elephant camp. This elephant camp was being used to train elephants for wars earlier and added that now, Dubare Elephant Camp plays an important role in taming and training captured rogue elephants.

Pointing out that Dubare Elephant Camp is also a tourist spot, Ranjan said that tourists are being educated about elephants thus playing an important role in wildlife conservation.

Range Forest Officer (RFO) Ananya Kumar, who too spoke, said that the role of youths play an important role in wildlife conservation and added that youths should join the Forest Department and become either IFS or KFS Officers.

Pointing out that the Forest Department was seeking the help of youths for elephant and tiger census and also to fight forest fires, Ananya Kumar urged the youths to serve the Forest Department as volunteers and help in wildlife conservation.

Nayaz Pasha, an elephant caretaker, spoke about training elephants to follow signals and instructions besides demonstrating the same. 

A video clipping of the day-to-day activities of all 31 elephants at the camp including Dasara elephants Vikram, Harsha, Gopi, and Kaveri was shown on the occasion.