Officials wait for Drona’s autopsy report

Mathigodu elephant camp has returned to normalcy on Sunday, after the death of Dasara fame Drona elephant.

The forest officials are waiting for the autopsy report to ascertain the cause of the death of Drona.

The mahouts and kavadis were seen taking care of the elephants at the camp. All the 20 elephants that had gone to the forest for grazing returned to the camp in the evening.

Complaints

There are, however, complaints on the failure of senior officers visiting the camp after the death of Drona.

“There are no symptoms of Antrax at the camp. At the outset, it looks like Drona had died of cardiac arrest. The viscera of the elephant has been sent to the laboratory. The exact reason for the death will be known only after the report reaches us,” said an officer.

Range Forest Officer Shivananda Lingani said, “The elephants at the camp are fed and given required treatment whenever needed. The doctors visit the camp daily and check the elephants. There is no negligence on the part of the officers.”

Increase in weight

Drona had taken part in the Jamboo Savari of Mysuru Dasara in 2016 and 2018. Drona had increased his weight by 430 kg in 2018. He was weighing 3,900 kg while entering the Mysuru Palace for Dasara and weighed 4,330 kg while returning after the Dasara celebrations.

“Drona was full of life after returning to Mathigodu camp after the Dasara celebrations. He had taken part in the taming of the wild elephants,” said a mahout.