MAMMOTH BATH

The Konni Forests in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India  are the natural Habitat of the Gentle Giants ( do read a previous Blog bearing this very Title) ; The Asian Elephant ( English), Haathi ( Hindi),   Elephas maximus  ( Scientific name) .

Unfortunately many Elephants have to be rescued as without human  intervention they would inevitably face death.

The Elephant Rescue Centre at Konni is one such park which is home to this threatened and vulnerable Mammoth Mammal.

Konni Forest Home
KONNI ELEPHANT RESCUE CENTER

Surender , Aged 17 , is a Handsome Tusker who was rescued from the forests of Kerala . I was Lucky to spot him having his Daily Bath.

toes showered
TOES GET A SHOWER

Two “Mahouts “ give him a hearty scrub which he thoroughly enjoys and belts out Trumpets of Joy.

enjoying the scrub
HA! HA! FEELS GOOD

The Bathing Ceremony stretches over an Extended period of time and Surender the Elephant takes a Short Nap as his attendants lovingly take care of him.

LYING DOWN
EXHAUSTED ,MUST LIE DOWN

In a previous blog titled “BOWLS OF THE FOREST” I had promised I would be back with post on the Elephants of Kerala, Elephas maximas indicus. This subspecies of the Asian elephant is Unique to the Indian Sub Continent.

Keep hanging on as will be back with more on Elephants. 

 

Published by

mukul chand

51 year old entrepreneur who has traveled extensively around the world for work and pleasure , is based in New Delhi, India. A passionate traveler born with a love for flora and fauna, is an active naturalist and amateur photographer. Here he shares his unique insight into Incredible India revealing its mysterious and exotic treasures. Writing from his heart he shares his experiences as he crisscrosses this vast and amazing land.

32 thoughts on “MAMMOTH BATH”

  3. Pingback: MAMMOTH BATH — Enchanted Forests | GoodnightNina.

  7. Magnificent! I’ve seen African elephants but not Indian. Don’t you think would be wonderful job to be Mahout & work with them…. thanks Mukul (ah…I’m signed in as Ulingana…you also know me from my other blog, Tony Sugden)

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  11. Glad the big guy enjoyed his bath. Love your photos. The chains bother me too. Perhaps that is the only way to save some of them, but oh… Once at the San Diego Zoo in California, I watched attendants give an elephant a lengthy foot treatment. He was put into an iron pen for this procedure. He got to munch while the work went on. The routine involved soaking each foot in a vinegar solution to prevent fungus or foot root, then came rubbing/scratching to stimulate blood circulation. It was fascinating. They’d work on 1 foot at a time and the elephant willingly slipped his foot through an opening in the cage so the people could work on it. All that weight on those feet, and not in their natural habitat, which might mitigate the need for all the fuss….Foot care is important.

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      2. This particular centre is run by the Forest Department.Distressed/Orphaned Elephants from their natural habitat are kept here. All were in chains except for the little baby elephants.

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