11 jumbos died in Karnataka since May 2018, government tells court

BENGALURU: Eleven elephants have died in the state due to various reasons, including one named Ranga who was killed in a road accident, since May 27 last year. The government revealed this information in a statement submitted to the high court in response to a PIL on elephant deaths in Karnataka.
According to the state, three orphan elephants at Sakre Bylu camp died due to acute haemorrhagic gastroenteritis and another one named Surya at Dubare camp died due to a forelimb fracture from a bullet injury. The statement added that six elephants died due to cardiac arrest and other health issues.
The state said there are 100 elephants at its five camps with 191 staff to look after them. There is a shortage of nine employees. As per the statement, Mathigodu and Balle camp have 25 elephants and 50 staff, Dubare 28 elephants and 56 staff, Sakre Bylu 25 elephants and 47 staff, Phanasoli in Dandeli has two elephants and six staff while Ramapura camp in Bandipur has 13 elephants and 20 staff.
The government asserted that the elephants are being looked after well and being provided sufficient food.
In his PIL, advocate NP Amrutesh claimed eight to 10 elephants had died in Mathigodu (Nagarahole), Dubare (Kodagu) and Sakre Bylu (Shivamogga) camps since last year.