Mysuru: Sugreeva, a 44-year-old tusker from Dubare Elephant Camp, has emerged as the heaviest of the 12 elephants in this year’s Dasara contingent, weighing 5,850 kg during the second batch of elephant weighing conducted here on Tuesday.Sugreeva’s weight was substantially higher than that of the other two elephants in the second batch. Chaitra, 55, from Rampura Elephant Camp, weighed 3,295 kg, while Roopa, 50, from Dodda Harave Elephant Camp, weighed 3,260 kg, foresters said.Sugreeva’s impressive weight has made him the heaviest elephant in the contingent of 12 jumbos. The weighing of the elephants is part of the preparations to assess their fitness and ensure they are in suitable condition for the demanding duties during the Dasara festivities.Meanwhile, the three elephants that joined the others recently began their rehearsal schedule on Tuesday and will be gradually acclimatised to the crowds, music, sounds and other activities associated with the celebrations.The elephants will also be provided a special diet to help them maintain their weight, improve their physical condition, and build the strength required for the Dasara procession and other ceremonial duties. As part of the training, the elephants will walk along the Dasara procession route twice a day. The exercise is intended to familiarise them with the route and surroundings, and help them adjust to the crowds and activities they will encounter during the grand procession. With all 12 elephants now assembled, the forest department is set to intensify their training and acclimatisation programme in the run-up to the Dasara festivities.Weight training: Mahendra, 42, and Dhananjay, 45, have already begun weight training and performed well during the sessions. Sugreeva, the heaviest among the 12 Dasara elephants, will also undergo weight-carrying training, officials said.Apart from these elephants, there are possibilities of two more elephants undergoing weight-carrying training. A committee of experts will assess the performance of all the weight-carrying elephants during the rehearsals before deciding which elephant will carry the howdah.
