Elephant meant to take part in Shivamogga Dasara gives birth to baby hours before Jambu Savari procession

Officials and veterinarians in Shivamogga had no clue that the elephant was pregnant

Shivamogga MLA S.N. Channabasappa, Mayor S. Shivakumar and others greet the three elephants chosen to take part in Shivamogga Dasara, at Sakrebail elephant camp, on October 18, 2023. | Photo Credit: special arrangement

A tamed elephant that was about to take part in the Dasara procession in Shivamogga on October 24 gave birth to a calf on the night of October 23.

Nethravathi, 25, was one of three elephants brought from Sakrebail (Sakrebyle) elephant camp to Shivamogga, for Dasara celebrations. The elephant participated in the rehearsal parade on October 23. Later at night, it gave birth to a female baby on the school ground where arrangements had been made for the elephants’ stay during the festival.

Surprisingly, the officers and veterinarians had no clue that the animal was pregnant.

The elephant and the calf have been shifted to the camp.

DCF Prasanna Krishna Patagar told the media that a medical examination was done before selecting elephants for the procession. However, there was no information about a pregnancy.

“In fact, Nethravathi was one of the elephants chosen for Jambu Savari in Mysuru. At that time, an examination was done, and there were no signs of pregnancy. The veterinarians too had not noticed any sign of pregnancy,” the officer said.