RIP Mr Kabini, a darling of wildlife buffs

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

A darling jumbo of wildlife enthusiasts with long tusks, was found dead in Gunda range of Bandipur National Park on Saturday. Called ‘Mr Kabini’, the jumbo used to wander in the backwaters of Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks in H.D.Kote taluk of Mysuru district.It died of age-related ailments.

Local forest officials had christened it ‘Bhogeshwara’ and it was sighted during the elephant safari of Jungle Lodges Limited. Tourists used to crave to see the rare elephant with long tusk which however never harmed any visitor.

A wildlife photographer, Basavaraj remembered capturing the elephant with his camera several times. After the formalities, forest staff performed the last rites on the spot where it was found dead.