Indian Elephants

Elephants are the largest of all mammals on land. The Indian elephant is smaller than the African elephant, however it can grow up to 11 feet tall and weigh up to 5 tons. The elephant's brain is the heaviest of all land mammals and can weigh up to 5 Kg. Elephants have large ears, are covered with gray hairy skin, and are characterized by their long trunks which can be used in a number of ways including for breathing, to suck in water or food, to lift and pull objects, and to make trumpeting noises and other sounds for communication. All male Indian elephants do not have tusks. Elephants that do have large tusks are hunted by poachers who seek the tusks for their ivory. The tusks, which are elongated incisor teeth, are used for digging, pushing and fighting with other male elephants. The molar teeth which elephants use for chewing are located within their mouths and are replaced as they get worn out, until about age 40.The Indian Elephant is found in the wild in densely forested areas of India including the tropical forests of South India, North East India and the sub Himalayan region. Also known as the Asian Elephant it is found in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos and China.Diet: Elephants are herbivorous creatures and spend a large amount of time everyday eating up to 300 Kg of vegetation, including grass, leaves, fruit and the bark of trees. The length of an elephant's digestive system is around 100 feet. Elephants that are tamed are fed on leaves, sugarcane, bananas and rice gruel.Behavior: Elephants have a complex social structure. In the wild they live in family groups led by mature female elephants, their young and sometimes older bull elephants. Mature male elephants are often solitary or live in small groups of male elephants only. Elephants live up to 70 years old and can sleep while standing. Tame elephants are made to sit or lie down while its trainer or mahout attends to it, in the wild however an elephant will not lie down unless it is sick.Status: Indian Elephants are threatened by poaching for their tusks, by the loss of habitat due to human pressure on forested areas and due to human conflict. The isolated populations of wild elephants in individual wildlife sanctuaries are also threatened by loss of genetic diversity. Recently a number of corridors connecting wildlife sanctuaries have been established to encourage the migration of wild elephants.Tourists can see the Indian Elephant in most of the national parks in India while traveling on India wildlife tours: Periyar National Park in Kerala in South India and Corbett National Park in Uttaranchal in North India, are some of the best sanctuaries where Indian elephants can be observed in their natural habitat.

Mating

Female elephants come into estrus (heat), marking ovulation and the ability to get pregnant, for only a few days each year. Because the mating season is short, mature female elephants are never far from adult males. The scent of a female elephant in estrus attracts male bulls. A receptive female will hold her head high, producing a low, rumbling invitation as she leaves her group and runs quickly across the plains chased by the bulls. They may mate several times, and he may stay with her until the end of her estrus, warding off other bulls and fighting if necessary. She may, however, mate with others.

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At the end of estrus, the cow returns to her group and the male goes off in search of another mate. The gestation period of female elephants lasts for 22 months, longer than any other animal; pregnancies are spaced from three to nine years apart. There is usually only one offspring, but twin births do occur and both calves may survive under favorable conditions. There is much excitement in the group during a birth, and another female almost always tends to the birthing mother. In general, females reach sexual maturity between the age of 12 to 15 years and, over the course of 60 years, will bear from five to 15 offspring.

Elephant Festivals

India is the original homeland of the Asiatic Elephant. It’s association with the gods and king goes back to the dawn of history. India the King of Gods, rides on a white elephant, Airavata. The elephant is also associated with the Lord Buddha, and Jainism. The colossal size of the animal evokes awe but its docile nature, its graceful movements and its doleful eyes have always fascinated man. It’s majestic presence has been associated with regal splendor and the elephant has always remained as the most important paraphernalia of the king.

About 'Elephants at Punnathoorkotta Anathavalam'

Punnathoorkotta is the largest single place for captive elephants (Anathavalam) in the world. It houses more than 60 elephants of Guruvayoor temple. Once this had been the palace of Punnathoor Raja, the Zamorin king. Just three kilometres from Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Swamy temple, Thrissur, Kerala, this fort attracts many travellers and devotees. Within the fort there are water tanks for the elephants to have a bath. During the Malayalam month of Karkidaka, the tuskers are given "sukha chikitsa"(restorative treatment).