Mysuru: At 5,160 kg, the 58-year-old Abhimanyu, who is expected to carry the golden howdah during the Vijayadashami procession on October 24, is the heaviest among the first batch of eight elephants, including two cow elephants.
Dasara veteran Arjuna, who was part of the first batch of elephants, has been pressed into a rescue operation in HD Kote.
While 41-year-old Gopi, who is from the Dubare elephant camp, weighed over 5,000kg and 43-year-old Dhananjaya also weighed close to 5,000 kg. Mahendra, Bhima, and newbie Kanjan weighed between 4250 and 4,550 kg. The cow elephants — Vijaya and Varalakshmi — weighed around 3,000 kg.
The 24-year-old Kanjan, who is participating in the festival for the first time, was hesitant to step on the weighing bridge.
A day after they were welcomed into Mysuru Palace, the elephants were taken for a weight check at the weighing station on Dhanvanthri Road. Usually, the weight of elephants are checked twice during the festival, first on their arrival and secondly, before they leave the city after the celebration.
Deputy conservator of forests (wildlife) Saurabh Kumar told TOI that weight is the primary indicator of the overall health of elephants and hence their weight was examined. “Except for Arjuna, who is on a tiger capture operation, the weight of eight other elephants was recorded by forest officials on Wednesday,” he said.
The IFS officer said the rehearsal of elephants is likely to commence on Friday. The elephants would be given rest for two more days at the palace before they are taken out for practice on the procession route. Special ration would be provided to elephants during their stay in Mysuru. The arrival of the second batch of elephants would be decided after a week, the DCF told TOI.
As usual, Abhimanyu will be given the responsibility of carrying the golden howdah and he will be put to practice to carry the weight on his back. Along with him, three other tuskers will also be trained to check their capability in performing the duty, the DCF said.
Veterinarian Dr Mujeeb, who is in charge of Dasara elephants, said elephants are in the pink of health. Weigh bridge owner Ganesh Prasad said the station was established in 1965 and he feels proud to provide service to check the weight of elephants participating in Dasara.
Dasara veteran Arjuna, who was part of the first batch of elephants, has been pressed into a rescue operation in HD Kote.
While 41-year-old Gopi, who is from the Dubare elephant camp, weighed over 5,000kg and 43-year-old Dhananjaya also weighed close to 5,000 kg. Mahendra, Bhima, and newbie Kanjan weighed between 4250 and 4,550 kg. The cow elephants — Vijaya and Varalakshmi — weighed around 3,000 kg.
The 24-year-old Kanjan, who is participating in the festival for the first time, was hesitant to step on the weighing bridge.
A day after they were welcomed into Mysuru Palace, the elephants were taken for a weight check at the weighing station on Dhanvanthri Road. Usually, the weight of elephants are checked twice during the festival, first on their arrival and secondly, before they leave the city after the celebration.
Deputy conservator of forests (wildlife) Saurabh Kumar told TOI that weight is the primary indicator of the overall health of elephants and hence their weight was examined. “Except for Arjuna, who is on a tiger capture operation, the weight of eight other elephants was recorded by forest officials on Wednesday,” he said.
The IFS officer said the rehearsal of elephants is likely to commence on Friday. The elephants would be given rest for two more days at the palace before they are taken out for practice on the procession route. Special ration would be provided to elephants during their stay in Mysuru. The arrival of the second batch of elephants would be decided after a week, the DCF told TOI.
As usual, Abhimanyu will be given the responsibility of carrying the golden howdah and he will be put to practice to carry the weight on his back. Along with him, three other tuskers will also be trained to check their capability in performing the duty, the DCF said.
Veterinarian Dr Mujeeb, who is in charge of Dasara elephants, said elephants are in the pink of health. Weigh bridge owner Ganesh Prasad said the station was established in 1965 and he feels proud to provide service to check the weight of elephants participating in Dasara.