Karnataka: ‘Mr Kabini’, jumbo with longest tusks, bids adieu

MYSURU: Tusker Bhogeshwara, who is known for his tusks and gait, died in Gundre Range in Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Saturday. The tusker, estimated to be over 60 years, died due to age related illness, said foresters.
The tusker was popularly known as ‘Mr Kabini’ as he was often spotted swimming, splashing at Kabini backwaters by tourists arriving to Bandipur and Nagarhole forests.
His tusks have now been preserved while he was cremated as per the protocol. The field staff offered pooja before he was cremated.
He was also nicknamed as Bhogeshwara by forest department staffers and local tribals as he was often spotted near Bhogeshwara temple located between thick forests of Bandipur and Nagarhole.
With a pair of long, rounded tusks of 8.5ft in length that almost reached the ground, the tusker had always caught the attention of the visitors of the forest.
As the tusk had overlapped each other, the elephant had difficulty in feeding. The tusker was also staying alone in the forest without moving along with other herds.
Bhogeshwara, with his long tusker, is believed to have survived from poachers including slain forest brigand Veerappan who killed several long tusker elephants during 1980s to 1990s as ivory tusks trade was rampant in those days.
The tusker was also featured in several wildlife documentaries produced by the forest department.
Only six to seven elephants with long tusks over the age of 55 have survived till today in Bandipur-Niligiris forests, according to forest department officials
Speaking to TOI, deputy conservator of forest and project director of Bandipur Tiger Reserve Rameshkumar said he had seen the majestic tusker in Nagarahole forest during his probationary period a decade ago. He said that the elephant had a natural death as no injury marks were found.