Weigh-in to determine their diet
Mysuru
The majestic Dasara elephants of the second batch underwent a routine but important health check after their arrival in Mysuru on Tuesday, with each jumbo being taken to a local weighing station to record its body weight.
The exercise was carried out to help the forest and veterinary teams prepare a scientific and customised diet chart for the elephants during their stay in Mysuru for the forthcoming Dasara festivities.
Three elephants from the second batch were weighed at the station. The details recorded were: Sugreeva-5850 kg, Chitra-3,295 kg and Rupa-3260 kg.
The weighing exercise is significant as the elephants will undergo an intensive training and preparation schedule ahead of the World-famous Mysuru Dasara. Their nutritional requirements are carefully monitored to ensure that they remain healthy, fit and energetic throughout their stay.
Weight and diet plan
The body weight of each elephant is an important factor in deciding the quantity and composition of its daily food. Based on the recorded weight, veterinarians and elephant caretakers can work out the required quantities of fodder, nutritious feed, grains, jaggery and other dietary supplements.
The elephants are expected to follow a specially planned feeding schedule during their stay. Their food intake, physical condition and overall health will be closely monitored by the veterinary team.
Preparation for Dasara
Apart from diet monitoring, the Dasara elephants undergo regular exercise and training to acclimatise them to the sounds, crowds and activities associated with the grand festival. The weighing of the jumbos is therefore more than a routine exercise—it is part of the careful preparation of the elephants for their prestigious role in the Dasara celebrations. With the majestic jumbos now settling into their Mysuru routine, the countdown to the grand spectacle has begun in earnest.
