Watermelons, cucumbers for elephants from Karnataka

Shahjahanpur: A convoy of 10 elephants on board 10 trucks from Karnataka is expected to arrive at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) on Saturday. The Karnataka government has gifted the 10 trained elephants to DTR.


The herd comprises eight females and two males. Once it arrives at DTR, the total number of trained elephants at the reserve will rise to 23. .


According to information available here, the convoy had entered Lalitpur district in UP. It is expected to halt in Lucknow before embarking on the last leg of the 2,500-km journey to DTR in Lakhimpur Kheri district. The convoy comprises 10 trucks with an elephant on board each, two additional trucks with supplies along with 30 support staff from Karnataka, Dudhwa and WWF.


In view of the scorching heat, forest officials are taking extra care to ensure that the pachyderms are confortable. A supply of cucumbers and watermelons have been provided to rehydrate them regularly, forest officials said here The elephants is checked every hour during the journey by a team of veterinarians to ensure all is well.


The journey to DTR started from Nagarhole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka on Monday. The convoy has passed through Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh before entering UP.


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