Mysore is no stranger to elephants running amok, but the forest department and the police have failed to take even basic precautions when taking Dasara elephants out on their daily morning walks in the busy lanes of the city. Although an escort police vehicle and a few policemen accompany the elephants walk, little care is taken to protect them from bursts of noise and large crowds despite the clear risks involved. With no traffic diversions in place, buses and other vehicles drive dangerously close to the elephants, even honking loudly. Sometimes autos zoom between the row of elephants, giving little thought to the effect this can have on the jumbos.
“The Dasara elephants are used to crowds and loud sounds, but they are after all impulsive animals and can run amok. Besides, if one elephant gets irritated, the entire herd can go berserk. We have seen how much damage a rampaging elephant calf can cause. So imagine what a huge elephant like Arjuna could do,” says a wildlife expert, pointing out that dealing with elephants is a herculean task and demands skill and experience.