Culture

Elephant Centre in Kerala to celebrate rescued calf’s first anniversary

Come September 9 and it will be a special day for Kerala’s Konni Elephant Centre and the star of the Centre – baby elephant Kochayyappan – as it will mark his first anniversary. This calf, rescued from a canal, is the centre of attraction of all the visitors to the Centre, especially the children.

Recalling his arrival in the Eco Tourism Centre Konni last year on September 9, Ajith Kumar, the Beat Forest Officer told India Narrative: “He was just six months old. He was rescued on August 19, 2021, after falling into a canal near Kochandi checkpost which falls in the Goodrickal forest range in Ranni. We waited for his herd to return to fetch him. When that did not take place, we tried to integrate him with two herds which were close by but they moved on. He was then moved to Konni camp.”

Incidentally, his original name Kannan was changed to Kochayyappan by the Forest Minister and Wildlife Protection, A.K. Saseendran.

Kochayyappan2Kochayyappan2
Kochayyappan in his enclosure

“He is very playful, happy and jolly by nature and keeps everyone entertained by his antics,” Kumar told India Narrative.

When asked about his favourite food, Kumar replied: “He likes rice, broth, bananas, watermelons, and jaggery.”

Kochayyappan cannot go back to the wild as he doesn’t have the requisite skills and he will continue to stay at the Centre and be the darling of the crowds.

S.Ravi

S. Ravi writes on science, evolution and wildlife besides trends in culture, history, art, and stories of human interest.

Recent Posts

Mahrang Baloch leads resistance voice against atrocities in Balochistan

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) re-shared a previously delivered powerful and emotional speech by Mahrang…

8 minutes ago

Severe water crisis hits Karachi, residents complain no water for 12 days

Residents in several localities in Karachi continue to suffer a severe water crisis amid sweltering…

14 minutes ago

Our fight is against terrorists, not with Pakistan Military: Air Marshal Bharti on Operation Sindoor

Air Marshal AK Bharti stated on Monday that the purpose of Operation Sindoor was to…

2 hours ago

“There was no chance Pakistan could’ve broken our multi-layered defence system,” DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai

Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai on Monday lauded India's multi-layered air…

2 hours ago

“Whatever loss they suffered, it was their own responsibility”: Air Marshal Bharti details response to Pak aggression

Director General Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti on Monday detailed the success of the…

2 hours ago

India’s firm response through Op Sindoor against Pakistan comes under PM Modi’s leadership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led India's decisive response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror…

5 hours ago