Mysuru: Two sharp nails pierced into the left foreleg of Jumbo Cauvery on Sept. 22 during the elephant team’s routine five-kilometre rehearsal from Mysore Palace to Bannimantap. The incident happened right in front of Balarama Gate of the Mysore Palace and soon after the incident went viral, it sparked outrage from animal lovers and those who firmly believe in deep-rooted Dasara tradition where elephants are an integral part.
That day, Cauvery was second in the line and suddenly stopped walking. Sensing something amiss and due to the sudden jerk, Cauvery’s Mahout asked his team members on the road to check the elephant. Other Mahouts prodded the jumbo to lift its left foreleg and found two nails pierced into the soft skin. The nails were pulled out and medication was applied. Fortunately, blood did not ooze out of the wound. After the nails were removed, the march resumed.
