Feeding the baby at Kodanad elephant training centre

Feeding babies is a pleasant task. Even if it is a baby elephant. Presented here is a scene from the Elephant Training Centre at Kodanad. Located on the shores of river Periyar, Ernakulam district, Kodanad is the headquarters of Malayattoor forest division. This village is famous for its elephant kraal and a mini zoo.

Baby elephants from nearby forests, most of them orphaned, are brought to Kodanad and trained. They are housed in Kraals, traditional wooden structures to accommodate elephants. There are trained mahouts to groom the elephants and the training is done scientifically and systematically. At least 5-8 baby elephants are brought here every year. Once, elephants were captured from the Malayattoor forests for this purpose. But it is no longer done since the government has banned the capturing of elephants. After the training, the elephants are entrusted with responsibilities.

Elephant safari is another attraction of Kodanad, which is visited by wild life enthusiasts from around the world. In Kerala, Muthanga in Wayanad and Konni in Pathanamthitta are two other places where elephant training centres are located.