Dasara 2022: Jumbo Lakshmi delivers calf in Mysuru palace premises

An elephant giving birth while on Dasara duty in Mysuru is unusual, at least in the last two-and-a-half decades

In what is described as a ‘Dasara gift’ ahead of the famous festivities in Mysuru, Lakshmi, a 21-year-old Dasara elephant, gave birth to a male calf in the palace premises on September 13 night. The mother and the baby have been separated from the Dasara jumbo camp. Veterinarians are monitoring their health.

“The mother Lakshmi and the newborn calf are healthy and doing well,” according to a forest official.

It is perhaps for the first time in over two decades that a female Dasara elephant has delivered a calf in the palace premises while on a training for the ‘Jamboo Savari’. Normally, pregnant jumbos are not selected for Dasara tasks.

Lakshmi, who belongs to the Ramapura elephant camp in Bandipur, was brought to Mysuru in August as part of ‘Gajapayana’, along with eight other elephants. The Dasara jumbo squad comprises 14 elephants.

“The mahouts and old-timers in the department are saying that an elephant giving birth while in Mysuru for Dasara tasks is uncommon, at least in the last two-and-a-half decades. About 25 years ago, a female Dasara elephant is said to have given birth, but this is yet to be confirmed,” said Deputy Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) V. Karikalan.

Mr. Karikalan, who is in charge of Dasara elephants, told The Hindu that none, including the mahout, were aware that Lakshmi was expecting. “On September 13 morning, we separated her from the jumbo camp on learning that she was in an advanced stage of pregnancy because of her unusual behavior. We had to monitor her health. Around 8.15 p.m., she comfortably delivered the baby. Both mother and calf are healthy,” he said.

Elephants have a long gestation period ranging from 18 to 22 months. As a result, it is difficult to detect pregnancy in an elephant.