Udupi: 62-year-old temple elephant dies

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Aug 15, 2019: Indira, the 62-year-old elephant of the famous Sri Mookambika Temple, which died at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, was cremated at Kollur in Udupi district on Wednesday.

 

H. Krishnamurthy, Assistant Executive Officer, told The Hindu that the elephant, which was in the service of the temple for over two decades, was suffering from ill-health for a few days. It had reduced its intake of food and water in the last two days. Hence, the temple had contacted the Elephant Camp at Sakrebailu in Shivamogga for giving medical treatment to the elephant.

A veterinarian from Sakrebailu had come on Tuesday and started treatment. But the elephant failed to respond to it and died on Tuesday night, he said.

Shivakumar M.C., Sub-Inspector of Kollur Police Station, said that post-mortem on the elephant was carried out. Then, the elephant was cremated. The officers of the Department of Forest, including the Deputy Conservator of Forests, were present on the occasion, he said.

The people of the temple-town of Kollur were fond of the pachyderm which was known for its gentle behaviour. Shops downed their shutters as a mark of respect to Indira in Kollur.