Hassan: People of Sakleshpur in Hassan might have got fed up of the regular crop raids by elephants but not many of them are aware that two among the trouble making elephants were caught and tamed in elephant camps and have become so well behaved that they have been selected to be part of the Dasara jumbo savari team.
Taking part in the jumbo savari for the sixth time is Gopalaswami, 35, who has his camp at Mathigodu. With a robust body structure, this jumbo is 2.62 metres tall and measures 3.42 metres in body length. He weighs 3,242 kg.
Gopalswami prior to his capture by forest officials in 2009, roamed the forests of Yeslur in Saklehspur before he was shifted to Mathigodu elephant camp. Now, at the camp, this heavily built jumbo is mild in nature and is taken care of by mahout Srujan and kavadi Dasa at the camp.
Another elephant from Hassan selected for the jumbo savari is Drona, a specialist in capturing trouble making elephants. He has participated in many elephant capture operations. Aged around 35, Drona is making his debut at the jumbo savari. He was caught in Madihalli forest in Hettur, Sakleshpur. He is being taken care of at the Mathigodu elephant camp by mahout Ravi and Sanna, kavadi.
Sources in Mathigodu elephant camp told Deccan Chronicle on Wednesday that both Gopalaswami and Drona are tamed jumbos and obey the commands of the mahouts and kavadis.
A number of factors go into the selection of elephants for Dasara festivities such as health, behavior of the animals for the past couple of months, an injury, whether they can handle the crowd and walk tirelessly for about six-km on jumbo savari day among others.
Deputy Conservator of Forests V Yedukondalu said the second batch of elephants for Dasara will be arriving in Mysuru on Thursday and the jumbos will be welcomed by offering puja.
