Mysore/Mysuru: An elephant from Balle Camp in D.B. Kuppe Range (Kakanakote) of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve was found dead in the forest on Monday, Apr. 1. Named Kumaraswamy, the elephant had been a resident of the camp since 2001 and was approximately 46 years old.

Kumaraswamy had resided in the Kakanakote Range on the Manandavadi Road for the past 23 years. Following the demise of Dasara elephant Arjuna, who was gored to death on Dec. 6, 2023, by a wild tusker during an elephant capture operation in Yeslur, Hassan District, Kumaraswamy remained the sole elephant at the Balle Camp. With Kumaraswamy’s passing, the Balle Camp is now devoid of any elephants.

Arjuna and Kumaraswamy were the only residents of D.B. Kuppe. A few years back, Dasara Kumki elephant Durgaparameshwari was brought to Balle from K. Gudi Elephant Camp and she was made Arjuna’s companion. But Durgaparameshwari died due to an intestinal infection last year. 

Kumaraswamy had been missing from the camp for several days, which was unusual as elephants are usually permitted to roam and graze freely in the forests. Concerns escalated when Kumaraswamy failed to return. Even the bell tied on its neck region to easily                                                                              locate him had snapped as Kumaraswamy used to rub his neck to the tree trunks. 

During a combing operation initiated to locate Kumaraswamy, forest guards stumbled upon the elephant’s carcass deep inside the jungle near the Anekal Dibba. Senior officials from Nagarahole swiftly arrived at the scene upon learning of the elephant’s demise and Dr. B.B. Prasanna, a veterinarian from H.D. Kote conducted the post-mortem.

According to authorities, the post-mortem report revealed that the elephant had been suffering from intestinal colic. Kumaraswamy had poor vision due to his old age. His mahout had died last month. 

Following the determination of the cause of death and the completion of necessary procedures, the carcass was left in the wild, adhering to Forest Department regulations, to provide sustenance for other carnivores. However, the tusks were removed.

 Nagarahole Tiger Reserve Director Harshakumar Chikkanaragunda, Assistant Conservator of Forests K.N. Rangaswamy, D.B. Kuppe Range Forest Officer  S.D. Madhu and other officers visited the spot.