Elephant Arjuna dies in wild tusker attack
Arjuna, a 64-year-old elephant, belonging to the Karnataka Forest Department, passed away following an encounter with a wild tusker while participating in a rescue operation. Arjuna had previously carried the prestigious golden howdah in the Dasara celebration on eight occasions.
The event transpired as Arjuna, in the company of fellow elephants, tried to capture a wild elephant that had been a source of worry for residents near Yasalur in Hassan district. As per Eshwar Khandre, the Minister of Forest, Ecology, and Environment in Karnataka, Arjuna sustained a stomach injury inflicted by the wild tusker during the operation.
In the course of the operation, the tusker became furious at the efforts to capture it. Despite forest officials firing warning shots into the air, the tusker proceeded to assault the team comprising four elephants and forest staff. While three other elephants and the involved forest staff quickly retreated, Arjuna bravely confronted the wild tusker, refusing to back down.
According to Khandre, he was a part of several operations to capture wild elephants in the past.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recalled the participation of Arjuna in Mysuru Dasara and condoled the demise.
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This marks the second elephant fatality in Karnataka within the last three days during a rescue operation. On December 2, an elephant lost its life when forest officials attempted to tranquilize the jumbo near Mudigere in Chikkamagaluru district. The Forest Department has initiated an inquiry into a potential breach of regulations, as the tranquilization occurred during the night.
In conclusion, Arjuna held the esteemed position of lead elephant and served as the carrier of the Golden Howdah at the Mysore Dasara festivities from 2012 to 2019. He bore the name of Arjuna, the third of the Pandava brothers in the Hindu epic Mahabharatha. With a weight of 6,040 kg and a towering height of 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in), Arjuna left an indelible mark on the tradition and grandeur of the annual celebration. His legacy as a symbol of strength and grace during the festival will be remembered for years to come.