The Forest Department has decided to hold an inquiry into alleged negligence in taking care of elephants at Sakrebail elephant camp. The department arrived at this decision after Nethravathi, an elephant chosen for the Dasara procession in Shivamogga, gave birth to a baby on October 23, hours before the procession.
Prasanna Krishna Patagar, DCF (Wild Life), told The Hindu that an inquiry would be ordered into the incident. The Assistant Conservator of Forests of Kargal sub-division would be entrusted with the responsibility to conduct the inquiry. “I am working on the inquiry order. The ACF will be asked to complete the enquiry within a stipulated period,” he said.
Nethravathi, aged around 25, was one of three elephants brought to Shivamogga for the procession. It took part in the rehearsals three days before giving birth on Vasavi School ground in Shivamogga. Officials shifted both the elephant and her baby to Sakrebail camp for proper care.
