No celebrations at Sakrebylu Elephant Camp, to be opened for visitors later this month

The World Elephant Day at Sakrebylu Elephant Camp near Shivamogga was a low-key affair on Wednesday, with the camp remaining closed to tourists as works to ensure safety for visitors were on.

Caretakers and officials decorated the elephants at the camp and performed a special pooja to mark the occasion. Department officials also conducted a drawing competition for students of the Morarji Desai Residential School at Gajanur.

Prasanna Krishna Patagara, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), told The Hindu that the day was observed without any special programmes this year. The staff decorated the animals, offered special food, and conducted special prayers at the kraal area, he said.

The camp is likely to be reopened for visitors by the end of this month, Mr. Patagara said. Civil works to enhance security measures for visitors are under way. “We are hopeful of opening the camp for visitors by the end of August,” he said.

The camp has been closed to visitors since May 21, on instructions from senior department officials, following a tragic incident at the Dubare elephant camp in which a woman tourist lost her life during a fight between two elephants. One of the elephants involved also died. In the wake of the incident, the department decided to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) for elephant camps in the interest of the safety of visitors and animals.