Elephants at Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve are indulging in a special seven-day retreat filled with relaxation and pampering. Each morning begins with a refreshing bath, followed by soothing massages using neem and castor oil.
After their spa-like treatment, the elephants are decorated and served their favorite meals. They are then treated to bread and allowed to roam freely in the forest, enjoying their time in nature without any work obligations. This week-long break offers these majestic creatures a much-needed opportunity to rejuvenate and appreciate the serene surroundings of the reserve.
The management of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve prioritizes the well-being of all its animals, including tigers. On Saturday, the ‘Hathi Mahotsav‘ was inaugurated at the reserve’s elephant camp, with PCCF Wildlife V.N. Ambade in attendance.
The festivities commenced with the elephants being bathed, adorned, and given a variety of treats, including fruits, sugarcane, coconut, and jaggery. To ensure their health and well-being, the elephants will not be assigned any work for the entire week.
During the Elephant Festival, villagers from nearby areas visit the reserve to interact with the elephants. They enjoy feeding them bananas, guavas, coconut water, sugarcane, seasonal fruits, maize, and 10 chapattis, each weighing about one kilogram. Families gather at Rama Camp at Tala Gate to take photos with the elephants and learn about their daily routines.
The Mahotsav aims to provide relaxation for both the elephants and their mahouts while familiarizing villagers with the elephants and their behavior. The event is open to everyone and seeks to dispel misconceptions about forest animals prevalent in rural areas.
