7 days ago
Nandankanan celebrates World Elephant Day
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Bhubaneswar: Basanti was the cynosure of all eyes as Nandankanan zoo celebrated World Elephant Day on Tuesday. Despite being in the twilight of her life, Basanti was the one to watch as she stood gently next to her younger companions — Heera (27) and the playful calves Asha and Lisha — to enjoy a specially prepared basket of fruits.
Visitors had gathered in large numbers to witness the majestic creatures relishing their treats.
"The event was part of a broader initiative to raise awareness about elephant conservation and the challenges these gentle giants face, like habitat loss and poaching. Nandankanan, known for its dedication to wildlife care since 1972, was instrumental in the rescue and rehabilitation of elephants across the state," zoo's deputy director Sanath Kumar said.
The park's efforts were highlighted by the inspiring recovery of Asha, who overcame a severe forelimb injury to become a symbol of hope and resilience.
Zoo officials said educational sessions were a key feature of the celebration, with zoo educators and keepers conducting talks on Asian elephants and the importance of human-elephant coexistence. "Interactive activities, including quiz contest, origami workshops and storytelling sessions were organised to inspire children to become future conservation ambassadors," Kumar added.
The event was attended by Bikash Ranjan Dash, chief conservator of forests, and members of the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society of Odisha, along with 30 enthusiastic school students. The day concluded with a collective pledge to protect elephants and their habitats, reaffirming Nandankanan's commitment to the conservation of state's wildlife treasures.
At Chandaka wildlife sanctuary, eight rescue elephants were treated to a special treat at their state-of-the-art rescue centre, underscoring the sanctuary's role in supporting the region's elephant population, which includes 43 wild elephants.
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