Mysuru: Howdah elephant Arjuna, who is known for his unruly behaviour has sobered down. As per veterinarian Dr D N Nagaraj, who has been responsible for the good health of Dasara elephants over the last 17 years, Arjuna has started to cope up with people and has shown signs of becoming more sober and milder.
Dr Nagaraj said that when Arjuna’s Mahout Dodda Masthi passed away, selecting a successor who could handle Arjuna was a very difficult decision to make. Sannappa, who is the present Mahout of Howdah elephant Arjuna did pull off the responsibility very well, said the Vet adding that a huge part of the success of Dasara would go to Sannappa and Arjuna.
“In my last 17 years, two incidents are most unforgettable, that is when Balarama, the former Howdah elephant stepped down to make away for Arjuna in 2012 after having carried the Howdah for 13 consecutive years and second is change of guard to Sannappa after sad demise of Dodda Masti,” recalled Dr Nagaraj.
“Though Arjuna is 56-years-old, due to his good physique, we will not be having problem for another five to six years as it can carry golden howdah without any hassle. However, 50-year-old Abhimanyu could well be groomed as successor of Arjuna,” opined Dr Nagaraj.
