The Dasara procession, which marks the finale of the 10-day celebrations, began in Shivamogga on Monday with a sense of uncertainty as one of the elephants had given birth the previous night. The incident left officers of Shivamogga City Corporation and the Forest Department officers, who had brought the elephants from Sakrebail elephant camp near here, in shock.
Nethravathi, 25, gave birth to a female calf around 10.30 p.m on Monday on Vasavi School grounds, where arrangements were made for the elephants’ stay during the festival. The officers of the elephant camp and the mahouts had no clue about the pregnancy. The elephant was made to take part in the rehearsal for three days, as they had failed to make out that the animal was pregnant.
Both the calf and mother were healthy, and the officers, following the advice of veterinarian Vinay S., shifted both to the camp by Tuesday morning. Then, the officers and elected representatives held a meeting on how to conduct Jamboo Savari in the absence of one of the elephants.
