Mysuru: The wild tusker with joined tusks at Kabini backwaters has won the hearts of wildlife lovers at Bandipura Wildlife Sanctuary. A wild elephant namely Bhogeshwara died on June 13 last due to age-related illness.
The wildlife lovers were missing the Bhogeshwara as thousands of tourists clicked its pictures beside Kabini as it was always spotted there. But to the surprise of tourists an elephant with joined tusks now called as junior Bhogeshwara has been spotted at the same place where Bhogeshwara spotted.
Bhogeshwara, reportedly the elephant with the longest tusks in Asia, died at the age of 60, according to officials. The wild elephant, also known as Mr Kabini, was found dead in the Gundre Range of Karnataka’s Bandipur Tiger Reserve. According to Forest Department officials, Bhogeshwara’s tusks were 2.54 metres and 2.34, respectively.
Known for its gentle temperament, the elephant frequented the Kabini backwaters for the last three decades. Wildlife enthusiasts who observed Bhogeshwara say that his calmness and long tusks used to attract the tourists at Kabini. Tourists coming to Kabini backwaters were very upset after hearing the news of its death. But now at the Kabini backwaters a junior Bhogeshwara has been spotted by the tourists, regularly.
This junior elephant is aged 30 to 35 years with a similar tusks. Due to this, the tourists are happy with elephant becoming prime attraction of tourists coming to Kabini backwaters.
The Bhogeshwara elephant with its distinct gesture, majestic gait, and long tusks was liked by wildlife lovers. Usually in Hassan, and Kodagu region there were big elephants but the tusk structure is small. However, elephants in Bandipur and Nagarahole region have large tusks according to their body shape. Experts say that the presence of long-tusked elephants in the Kabini backwaters may be due to the genes of the deceased Bhogeshwara elephant.
The Kabini backwaters of Bandipur Nagarhole Forest area, which is an area with the highest number of elephants, attracts a large number of tourists and animal lovers. The long-tusked elephant appearance is highly publicised by the people who come on safari to capture it on their cameras. Similarly, after the death of 60-year-old Bhogeshwara, the same kind of elephant is attracting people with its long tusks at the same place and is delighting tourists.
