As part of a programme to raise awareness about the jumbos, the Nandankanan Zoological Park observed ‘Elephant Day’ on Friday.
Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra inaugurated the celebration after offering fruits to the pachyderms. Adorned with special customised appliqué apparel, the jumbos- Prema, Basanti, Heera, Juli, Jagan, Chandan and Gauri were offered bananas and other fruits by the forest officials on the day. Main attraction of the occasion was the site of an orphan elephant calf ‘Gauri’, who was rescued by the wildlife officials from Khuntuni forest range a few months ago.
The main objective of celebrating the ‘Elephant Day’ is to create awareness among the public on how to protect the big animals. “We have taken several steps to check deaths of elephants due to electrocution and protection of habitats for their sustenance,” said the Chief Secretary, adding, “We are also taking steps to solve the conflicts between man and elephant by creating awareness among the public.” Among others, Forests Secretary RK Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) JD Sharma, zoo director Sudershan Panda, deputy director Manoj V Nair and assistant director Kamal lochan Purohit were present. Zoo authorities awarded Mahouts of the elephants during the celebration.
Visitors and school children participated in the event, which is part of celebrating the ‘Wildlife Week’ that began on October 2. The visitors into the zoo photographed the moments with the elephants and also offered fruits to the pachyderms.Similarly, ‘Elephant Day’ was celebrated at Godibari in Chandaka-Damapada sanctuary here. Two elephants Nanda and Jashoda decorated in coloured jhotis were offered fruits by the forest officials. Notably, jumbo population in State was 1,886 according to the 2010 census. As many as 557 people had been killed between 1996 and 2012 due to man and animal conflict, while 718 elephants died in the State since 2000 due to different reasons, said a Government report.