Shivamogga
Netravathi elephant, which had come to participate in the Vijayadashami procession to be held on Tuesday, gave birth to a mariana last night. For the past three days, Netravathi, along with Sagar and Hemavathi, had come from Sakrebailu elephant camp to participate in the Dasara celebrations organised by City Corporation. It is learnt that the medical officers here were not aware that Netravati was pregnant.
The Netravati elephant gave birth to her fifth calf on Monday night. This has come as a surprise to even the kavadis and mahouts who look after the elephant. The baby is healthy. It got up within 10 minutes of birth and started drinking my mother’s milk.
As soon as Netravathi gave birth to the baby, Hemavathi, who was there, took care of the cub. Dr Vinay, Medical Officer of Sakrebailu elephant camp and DFO Prasanna Patgar visited the elephant in the night. The mother and the baby elephant are healthy. With this, the elephant population in Sakrebail has gone up to 21. Netravati is 25 years old and has given birth to five cubs so far. Three cubs have already been sent to Uttar Pradesh. The baby was born two years ago and was named Puneeth. Elephants usually hatch in the forest. It may be recalled that an elephant that had come to Mysuru for Dasara two years ago had also given birth to a calf.
Netravati and the baby elephant were shifted to Sakrebail under the leadership of medical officer Vinay. Usually, when an elephant becomes pregnant, it is known to the mahouts who look after the elephant. Even doctors know. However, there were no signs of pregnancy in the Netravati elephant.
