The Forest Department is likely to rest howdah elephant Abhimanyu and desist from harnessing his services in any combing operations in future, following the shocking death of Arjuna last week in a mortal combat with a wild tusker near Yeslur in Hassan district.
The authorities are averse to taking risks now, as Abhimanyu is also vested with the responsibility of carrying the 750-kg golden howdah during Mysuru Dasara.
After Arjuna retired as the howdah elephant on attaining 60 years of age in 2019, Abhimanyu stepped in and has mantled the responsibility since then.
