Visitors Enjoy Watching Elephants Up Close as Sadivayal Camp Opens to Public in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: The Sadivayal Elephant Camp, located in the Boluvampatti Forest Range of the Coimbatore Forest Division, has been opened to the public, allowing visitors to observe elephants at close quarters and witness their feeding sessions since it began welcoming guests yesterday.

The camp is situated near the Forest Department check-post at Chadivayal, where tickets for Kovai Courtallam are issued. It currently shelters four captive elephants belonging to the Forest Department — Muthu, Cauvery, John and Sumangala.

Visitors can watch the elephants being fed, with arrangements similar to those at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and the Kozhikamuthi Elephant Camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. The experience offers an opportunity for families, children and students to learn about elephants, their behaviour and the importance of wildlife conservation.

The initiative aims to create awareness about wildlife and the need to protect animals among the public, particularly school and college students. The camp provides an opportunity for visitors to observe the elephants and understand the responsibilities involved in their care.

Forest Department officials said the tentative entry fee is ₹20 for children aged between five and 12 and ₹30 for visitors above 12 years. Children below five years can enter free of charge.

The camp is open to visitors daily from 8.30 am to 9.30 am and from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm, subject to Forest Department rules and regulations.