See link for photo.
The frenzied elephant (with tusks) had killed two cows of the camp in the same condition seven years ago
Musth is a periodic condition in bull (male) elephants, characterised by highly aggressive behavior and accompanied by a large rise in reproductive hormones.
The camp has nearly 34 elephants, four of which are cows. The frantic bull is often seen near the camp and trying to attack the cows. One bull from the camp which was attacked by the frantic elephant had escaped by cutting the chain on Wednesday and the forest officials managed to trace it in a coffee plantation in the wee hours of Friday.
“The decision to deny entry to public to the camp has begun from Wednesday. The lift on the ban will be taken going by the behaviour of the frenzied elephant which is seen near the camps because of the four cows. Warning boards have been set up to instruct the tourists. Even the forest department personnel have been strictly advised to communicate to the tourists about the dangers. Even the villagers have been informed and the matter has spread through word of mouth,” K Nehru, range forest officer, Kushalnagar range told BM. Seven years ago, the same elephant in musth had killed two cows of the camp and another forest elephant as they did not co-operate with him.
After seven years, it is said to be displaying similar behaviour.
“Eshwar, one of the camp’s bull which was captured three years back from Hassan was attacked by the rowdy bull on Wednesday. Eshwar which was chained had escaped by cutting the chain. After a search for two days, it was finally found in the wee hours of Friday at around 3.30 am. During musth, aggressive behaviour by the bulls are expected. But the frenized elephant is extremely aggressive and we are chalking out plans how to control it,” Nehru added.
The rowdy bull is seen around the Dubare camp area since the last fortnight and has tried to attack the camp elephants from the last three days. Even two of the camp bulls are also in musth and theses two are also facing trouble by the frantic bull.
“The frantic bull comes in search of Kapila, the cow and the latter does not show any interest which has angered him more. Two other cows Maithili and Shivagange are also at risk. When the camp elephants are taken inside the forest, the frenzied bull tries to attack them. The wild bull comes near the camp during late nights and early mornings. Efforts to drive it back inside the forest has yielded no result,” Nayaaz, a mahout said.