Dasara elephants to go on health-first diet; weight gain no longer in focus

Mysuru: In a significant shift from tradition, the Forest Department has decided to focus on the health and well-being of the Dasara elephants housed at the Mysore Palace rather than ensuring rapid weight gain during their stay.

Veterinarians and experts are being consulted to prepare a scientific food chart tailored to each elephant based on its age, weight and capacity.

For years, the special nutritious diet served to the elephants during their two-month stay at the Palace resulted in weight gains of between 300 and 550 kg.

While the increase was seen as a sign of strength, veterinary specialists have cautioned that sudden and excessive weight gain could adversely affect the animals’ health.

Balanced nutrition

Responding to these concerns, the Forest Department has decided to regulate food intake and focus on balanced nutrition rather than sheer weight gain. Officials said, the elephants have already entered the Palace premises but have not yet been put on the enhanced diet.

Feeding will begin gradually within 3-4 days after each elephant is weighed to determine the appropriate quantity of supplements. The idea is to avoid any abrupt change in diet and maintain elephants’ health throughout Dasara festivities.

Normal Vs rich diet

Veterinarians point out that the diet provided at the Palace is significantly different from the food the elephants receive at their respective forest camps.

A sudden withdrawal of the richer Palace diet after Dasara could cause stress, particularly if the elephants gain excessive weight during their stay.

A meeting with veterinary experts has been scheduled for Aug. 31, to finalise the food chart. The Department aims to adopt a scientific approach, ensuring that each elephant receives adequate nutrition without compromising its health.

Officials reiterated that the well-being of the Dasara elephants remains the priority, even if it means doing away with the traditional emphasis on dramatic weight gain.