37-Year-old Elephant Drona of Mysuru Dasara Dies of Heart Attack
Mysuru: You will not get to see Drona at Mysuru Dasara any more. The male elephant died of a suspected heart attack on Friday, but the forest department did not confirm the cause of his death. The end of the 37-year-old jumbo came when it was quenching its thirst at Thithimathi in Nagarhole Sanctuary’s Matthigodu elephant camp. Forest workers and mahouts who saw Drona faint while he was drinking water rushed to give him first aid, but in vain, sources said. Drona died young, considering that the average lifespan of elephants in captivity is 60 years.
Captured in 2014 from Aluru forest in Hassan district, Drona had been tamed at Matthigodu. He had taken part in Mysuru Dasara in the last two years. Drona was in the camp for the last six years. He was captured as a rogue elephant in 2014, in Aluru forest range in Hassan district and was tamed later in Moorkallu camp of Nagarahole National Park. After taming, he was sent to Mattigodu camp, where he was named “Drona” by the mahouts, for his magnificent looks and intelligence. Later on, Drona was used to capture and tame other rogue elephants. His services were utilized in Hassan, Chamarajnagar, Kollegala and Biligiriranganabetta forests. Drona has also helped in capturing tigers.
A pall of gloom has descended on Mattigodu elephant camp following Drona’s demise. The elephant was laid to rest near the Mattigodu camp, after an examination by Veterinarian Dr Mujib Rehman and Bandipur wildlife division veterinary doctor Dr Nagaraju. The exact reason for the death will be known after the autopsy. “The elephant is feared to have had a heart attack in the morning. The exact reason is yet to be verified,” said Dr Mujheeb. Conservator of Forests of Nagarahole Sanctuary, Narayanaswamy, confirmed that the elephant passed away in the morning.
Source: The New Indian Express
