Latest news with #WorldElephantDay2025
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
World Elephant Day celebrated at BBP
Bannerughatta Biological Park, Bengaluru, on Thursday, August 14, celebrated World Elephant Day 2025, in collaboration with India Post, the Post Crossing Welfare Society of India, Rotaract District 3191, Rotaract Atria Institute of Technology, and the Rotaract Club of Bangalore Jayanagar. Centered on Human-Elephant Coexistence, the event highlighted the roles of mahouts, kawadis, and night watchers in elephant care. A veterinary officer spoke on the deep bond between elephants and their mahouts, followed by a biologist sharing insights on a recent elephant translocation to Japan. A special set of elephant-themed postcards was launched by Chief Guest K. Prakash, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka Circle, and A.V. Surya Sen, Executive Director of BBP. Retired mahouts Mota and Bhaskar were honored for their service, and solar-powered lamps were distributed to night watchers by members of the Rotary Club. The day ended with a thoughtful discussion on elephant welfare between park officials and mahouts.
New Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Here's a handy guide to keep feet of captive elephants healthy
COIMBATORE: The health of captive elephants is expected to improve with the launch of new guidelines focused on foot health on Tuesday. The guide 'Healthy Feet, Healthy Elephants' has been prepared by the Project Elephant and the Elephant Cell at the Wildlife Institute of India. It has included recommendations from an expert committee on maintaining captive elephants in a hygienic atmosphere. Foot problems are among the leading causes of morbidity in captive elephants. Their feet are particularly vulnerable to a range of ailments that can significantly impact their health, comfort, and longevity. Limited movement, altered foraging behaviour and exposure to artificial substrates are prime factors. Abscesses, cracks, foot rot, arthritis, and even fatal infections are often found in captive elephants. The guide will provide a deep understanding of the biological and anatomical basis of the elephant feet, diet, and impact of substrate on foot health. It offers practical, hands-on instructions for foot inspection, trimming, treatment and prevention. The document also helps the budding veterinarians to do quick reference and is a training resource that encourages regular, preventive foot care. "One of the most important aspects of an elephant is its foot. For an elephant, the foot is as important as the heart, and the new guidelines will be useful for the veterinarians, temple authorities, and private owners to take care of the animals," said Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, who released the guide during the World Elephant Day 2025 celebration in Coimbatore on Tuesday. Dr N Kalaivanan, Forest Veterinary Officer at the Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve and one of the contributors to the guide, said "In humans, cattle, and most other wild animals, the digits (fingers and toes) are separated. If one gets infected, it can affect the entire leg. But in elephants, the digits are structured together to support their massive weight. Elephants actually stand on their toes, and an average adult weighs between 4,000 and 4,500 kilograms. They also use their feet to communicate by stomping the ground, sending seismic signals that other elephants can detect up to a kilometer away. Remarkably, they can even sense seismic waves from earthquakes occurring as far as 100 km away.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
World Elephant Day celebrated in Shivamogga
Shivamogga: World Elephant Day was celebrated in Shivamogga on Tuesday with various programmes and activities focused on elephant conservation and coexistence. Chief conservator of forests (Shivamogga circle) KT Hanumanthappa said the day serves to spread important messages regarding elephant conservation, managing human-elephant conflicts, and paying tribute to elephants. Hanumanthappa addressed the gathering at the World Elephant Day 2025 event organised by the Karnataka forest department at Sakrebailu camp. Sakrebailu Elephant Camp, located on the banks of Tunga River, is a renowned tourist destination in the state, offering nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts insights into elephant lifestyle and conservation, while promoting eco-friendly tourism. The camp houses 25 elephants, of which 23 are fully tamed and three are being captured and tamed. Among the tamed elephants, there are 16 tuskers and five females, and one is a calf. These elephants participate in capture operations, repelling activities, and Dasara. Two elephants, Ravi and Shiva, were sent from the camp to Madhya Pradesh, and two, Krishna and Abhimanyu, to Andhra Pradesh, he said. Female elephants guide herd DCF (Shivamogga wild division), Prasanna Krishna Patgar, said World Elephant Day is celebrated with the theme 'Matriarchs and Memories', highlighting the role of female elephants in leading and guiding their herds and the enduring memories they share. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Become Fluent in Any Language Talkpal AI Undo A special postal envelope was released on the occasion. Jayaram Shetty, superintendent of posts, postal department, said the envelope is available in a limited number of 2,000 copies at Rs 30 each. It will be sold internationally, with information about the Sakrebailu camp disseminated through the envelope. Two elephant calves were named Chamundi and Tunga, respectively. Students from various schools participated in the programme. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Centre plans to implement AI-based early warning systems to protect wildlife
COIMBATORE: The Union govt is planning to implement an AI-based early warning system in elephant corridors along the railway tracks across the country. This follows the successful implementation of the AI-based early warning systems by the Tamil Nadu forest department in Madukkarai forest range in Coimbatore district. 'AI-based early warning shall be implemented in the elephant corridors along the railway tracks in other states, as well. Not just elephants, but other vulnerable species like tigers and others can also be included, for which a primary study will be conducted,' said Union minister of state for environment, forest and climate change Kirti Vardhan Singh. The minister was speaking to reporters after taking part in World Elephant Day 2025 celebrations held in Coimbatore on Tuesday evening. He appreciated Tamil Nadu for the successful adoption of the technological advancement in ecological conservation. At the event, Gaj Gaurav Awards were conferred on forest frontline staff members and mahouts from across India. Two of the awardees were from Tamil Nadu. The minister stated that, as per the 2017 estimation, 29,000 elephants were recorded. India contributes to about 60% of the Asiatic elephant population. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 5 Books Warren Buffett Recommends You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo 'We have now identified and ground validated 150 elephant corridors across 15 states,' he said. On the eve of the last year's World Elephant Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured on the use of remote sensing & geospatial mapping and AI to combat issues like human-animal conflicts, which has perfectly shown success at Madukkarai forest range.' Earlier, chief minister M K Stalin shared a note for the World Elephant Day on his X handle. In the post, the CM emphasised the achievement of 2,800 safe elephant crossings since February 2024, with zero train collisions via an AI-powered early warning system in Madukkarai. 'Our Dravidian Model govt recently inaugurated a mahout village at Theppakadu, featuring eco-friendly houses for mahouts and cavadies who care for these gentle giants. It strengthens the welfare of caregivers while advancing conservation. Let us pledge to keep elephants safe and free for generations to come,' he posted. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
