The Shivamogga Wildlife Division of the Forest Department celebrated Elephant Day at Sakrebailu elephant camp near Shivamogga on Saturday, August 12, 2023. The celebrations began with offering prayers to the elephants in the camp. For the day, the mahouts and kavadigas made special arrangements by decorating the pachyderms. The elephants were given a day holiday, garlanded, and the priest offered prayers, and special food such as fruits, sugarcane, and vegetables were given to the Elephants.

various programs were organized by the Shimoga Wildlife Department, Shimoga Circle at the elephant shelter in Sakrebail. Prasanna Krishna Patagara, Deputy Conservator of Forests of the Wildlife Division, told the media that Elephant Day was celebrated to spread awareness among the public about elephants. There was a need for understanding the importance of elephants. “The public need to know the human-elephant relationship. This day is the right opportunity to spread the message”, he said.

As part of the celebration, the department conducted a workshop for students on elephants. Experts gave a talk on the Care and Management of Ex-situ Elephants. At present the camp has 20 elephants. The elephants are handled by a dedicated team of mahouts and kavadigas.