COIMBATORE: The 30-day rejuvenation camp for temple elephants concluded at Thekkampatti on Friday evening. The annual camp, usually held for 45-days, was reduced to 30 days this time because of the delay in scheduling and taking into account elephant migration season. The elephants were taken to their respective temples in trucks.
The closing ceremony was attended by the municipal administration and rural development minister S P Velumani, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments minister Sevoor S Ramachandran, district collector T N Hariharan and Rajya Sabha MP A K Selvaraj.
Around 31 elephants from state-run temples were treated to 30-day comforts, which included regular baths in a stream, daily pedicures, massages, treatment for ailments if any and games. “Many elephants came with foot injuries and foot sores, which take months to heal,” said joint director of animal husbandry department, Dr V Muthugopalakrishnan. “We fitted one elephant with a metal shoe, because its foot was badly damaged. We otherwise usually apply medicines, give them rest and the right nutrition, helping them heal fast,” he said.
Mahouts said animals feel mentally much better during and after the camp. “The elephants are more active when they see their ilks. After four years of gathering, they now recognise each other and build rapport instantly. A month of playing and spending time together makes them more relaxed and cheerful and active,” said a doctor attached to the animal husbandry department.