Jumbo Balanna resumes camp duty after recovery

Shivamogga: At Shivamogga’s Sakrebailu Elephant Camp, 35-year-old tusker Balanna made a notable return to camp duty on Monday by leading the release of a newly tamed elephant, Sourya, from its wooden kraal.

The moment carried special significance because Balanna recently recovered from a severe medical setback that resulted in the amputation of part of his right ear after a treatment error caused dry gangrene.

Balanna, who carried the Ambari during Shivamogga Dasara, was the subject of alarming rumours in recent months. Social media posts falsely claimed that he had died. However, his appearance at the camp operation put those rumours to rest and highlighted a recovery that officials and veterinarians described as remarkable.

The elephant released from the kraal, Sourya, was captured in Feb 2026 near Balehonnur after a fatal incident in Hyarambipura. The animal was linked to the deaths of two labourers, including 45-year-old Yallappa from Haveri district, triggering outrage and prompting a major forest department operation. Trainers at Sakrebailu managed to pacify and prepare Sourya within three months.

Balanna’s treatment and recovery were supervised by veterinarian Dr Muruli Manohar. Shivamogga wildlife DCF Prasanna Krishna Patgar said with Balanna’s strength restored and wounds healed, he has resumed active camp duties alongside Sagar, Adkabadka and Vikrant, elephants that were also injured around the same period.