Doubts raised over events that led to death of elephant Arjuna
The Hindu
December 5, 2023
See link
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/doubts-raised-over-events-that-led-to-death-of-elephant-arjuna/article67607174.ece
for photo.
Statements of mahouts and eyewitnesses have raised several doubts over the
turn of events that led to the death of Arjuna, the tusker, in a fight with
the wild elephant at Yeslur range on Monday.
Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, in his statement on Monday, had said that
Arjuna died after a fight with a wild elephant. However, a mahout who was
part of the operation gave a statement to the media that Arjuna suffered a
bullet injury during the operation, because of which he could not fight.
As the wild tusker came forward to attack the tamed elephants, the staff
initially opened fire in the air. According to a mahout, Arjuna suffered an
injury during the firing.
Meanwhile, a veterinarian involved in the operation darted a tamed
elephant, Prashanth, instead of the wild elephant, which was identified for
capture. Vikram Gowda, a local, claimed to have witnessed the turn of
events and told the media that, by mistake, the veterinarian darted the
tamed elephant. As the team realised the mistake, they rushed to treat the
elephant. While one of the elephants was under treatment, the wild elephant
came forward to attack.
“The wild elephant was in musth. And only Arjun, who was also in musth,
could face the wild tusker. He faced and fought. The wild elephant was much
younger compared to Arjuna,” he said.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/doubts-raised-over-events-that-led-to-death-of-elephant-arjuna/article67607174.ece
Doubts raised over events that led to death of elephant Arjuna
The Hindu
December 5, 2023
See link
<https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/doubts-raised-over-events-that-led-to-death-of-elephant-arjuna/article67607174.ece>
for photo.
Statements of mahouts and eyewitnesses have raised several doubts over the
turn of events that led to the death of Arjuna, the tusker, in a fight with
the wild elephant at Yeslur range on Monday.
Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre, in his statement on Monday, had said that
Arjuna died after a fight with a wild elephant. However, a mahout who was
part of the operation gave a statement to the media that Arjuna suffered a
bullet injury during the operation, because of which he could not fight.
As the wild tusker came forward to attack the tamed elephants, the staff
initially opened fire in the air. According to a mahout, Arjuna suffered an
injury during the firing.
Meanwhile, a veterinarian involved in the operation darted a tamed
elephant, Prashanth, instead of the wild elephant, which was identified for
capture. Vikram Gowda, a local, claimed to have witnessed the turn of
events and told the media that, by mistake, the veterinarian darted the
tamed elephant. As the team realised the mistake, they rushed to treat the
elephant. While one of the elephants was under treatment, the wild elephant
came forward to attack.
“The wild elephant was in musth. And only Arjun, who was also in musth,
could face the wild tusker. He faced and fought. The wild elephant was much
younger compared to Arjuna,” he said.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/doubts-raised-over-events-that-led-to-death-of-elephant-arjuna/article67607174.ece