SHIVAMOGGA: Five days after Karnataka’s oldest elephant Indira died, her camp mate Kapila too passed on at the Sakrebailu camp in Shivamogga. While her exact age is not known, forest officials said she too was over 80 and had been ailing for the past few days. Kapila’s death brings the number of elephants in the camp down to 21.
Like Indira, Kapila too was brought to Sakrebailu camp in 1968 from Kakanakote forest area. She was about 30 years then.
Assistant Conservator of Forest Mukund Chandra told Express that Kapila was very active for her age but shy by nature.
Caretaker Rafiq, who was looking after her for the past two years, said, “She was a very calm and composed elephant but intolerant to noise. She used to be reluctant to carry the small bed (usually put on the elephant’s back for jumbo rides) but didn’t mind carrying people without it.”
About 12 years ago, Kapila lost her molar teeth and since then had been put on a diet of soft food. Kapila was ailing for the past one week and suffering from constipation. The doctors put her on drips (given behind the ears) for the past seven days, said Rafiq.
Caretakers vouch for Kapila’s caring attitude towards pregnant female jumbos and the calves. Just as she supported her own daughter Amrutha and took care of her granddaughter Parvathi, Kapila always looked after young elephants, said Rafiq.
For now, the camp is in low spirits with inmates mourning the loss of two granny jumbos.