A special rejuvenation camp for elephants that belong to temples and religious bodies in the state of Tamil Nadu was flagged off today at Thekkampatty in Mettupplayam. M. Veerashanmugamani, Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment inaugurated the camp.
Speaking about the camp Veerashanmugamani, Commissioner said “Every year the elephant rejuvenation camp is conducted at Mettupalayam. At the camp special attention will be given to all elephants as a dedicated team of veterinary doctors from the Tamil Nadu veterinary department will regularly monitor the health of the elephants, both physical and mental fitness. This year the special camp begins today and go on upto 10.03.2017.
So far, elephants from 30 temples have arrived to the camp and four more elephants from other temples are on the way to the site. A comprehensive balanced diet chart has been prepared by the veterinarians for the elephants which comprises of aval, turmeric, salt, astofoetida, dates, jaggery, rice, kollu, green gram, fruits and sugarcane.
Medicines and herbs required to treat illness or for general health enhancement of the elephants are fully-stocked at the camp.
The Mahouts who are deployed to take care of the elephants will also be provided with all basic amenities. Solar electric fence has been installed around the camp, to protect the elephants from other elephants from the wild. A watch tower has been erected at a very prominent place and cameras have been installed throughout the place to keep a close watch on the elephants.
Totally, seven teams have been formed by the forest department to provide security to the camp. Shower bath facilities for the elephants have also been created to give the elephants a soothing effect. The elephants will be provided physical training along with all required medical treatment. Arrangements have also been made to treat those elephants which were unable to participate in the camp due to ill-health.
District forest officer Ramasubramaniam, IFS, Joint commissioners of Hindu Religious and Endowment board, Ilamparithi, Animal husbandry Joint Director, Tamilselvan and officials of animal husbandry department, forest department officials participated in the inauguration event.