Tag Archives: Elephants in Dubare

Dubare Elephant Camp Reopens: New No-Touch Rules and Entry Guidelines You Must Know

Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu reopens today, Sunday, September 20, with a strict no‑touch visitor policy. The Forest Department’s updated protocols replace elephant bathing and feeding with distanced viewing from barricaded areas. Expect time‑slotted batches, safety briefings and capped crowds as day visits resume after months.

What changes on the ground? Visitors must stay behind ‘green zone’ barricades with a minimum 10‑metre buffer. “Public shall be restricted to designated ‘green zones’ surrounded by barricades.” Touching, feeding, selfies and entering the river are barred. Sessions run in batches of about 50 for 45–60 minutes; only calm, cleared elephants are displayed. Camps also observe a weekly rest day, usually Tuesday.

Dubare Elephant Camp entry timings and on‑site ticketing Entry will be managed at on‑site counters near the access point, issuing time‑slot tokens. Arrive early to secure a morning batch and avoid noon queues. The SoP authorises slotting and batch caps. Official records note a dedicated ticket counter. Carry cash or UPI and government photo ID. Expect brief holds if elephants show stress; staff can reshuffle batches. Families with seniors should budget extra time for queuing and the safety briefing

Bengaluru route and Sunday return rush

From Bengaluru, follow NH‑275 past Ramanagara and Mandya to Srirangapatna, then continue via Hunsur toward Kushalnagar. This is the quickest, with predictable facilities en route. Expect Sunday return spikes on the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway between 4 pm and 9 pm. Leave mid‑afternoon or after 8 pm.

Weather, river‑flow watch and Dubare rafting

Today’s forecast for Madikeri shows afternoon thunderstorms and persistent cloud, which can slow crossings. Rafting at Dubare runs only when river flow is safe. Check status on site before detouring. Heavy discharge or sharp showers may pause activities without notice, so keep plans flexible

Nearby add‑ons and safe alternatives

If Dubare fills its batches, pivot nearby. Harangi and Mathigodu elephant camps are already open under the same safety rules. Kaveri Nisargadhama’s forest island and the Bylakuppe monastery circuit offer easy detours for families. These options keep your day rewarding without bottlenecks, and suit a Bengaluru start and Sunday return.

source: http://www.nativeplanet.com / Native Planet / Home> Travel Guide / by Priyank Gupta / September 20th, 2026

Territorial fights in elephant camps in Kodagu on rise

In the district, there are 26 elephants in Dubare, six in Harangi, and 11 in Mathigodu camps. Among these, only three female elephants are in Dubare and two in Mattigodu.

Representative image showing an elephant./ Credit: iStock Photo

Madikeri:

The number of female elephants in the elephant camps of Kodagu district is significantly low, leading to conflicts among male elephants.

In the district, there are 26 elephants in Dubare, six in Harangi, and 11 in Mathigodu camps. Among these, only three female elephants are in Dubare and two in Mattigodu.

Of the three female elephants in Dubare, two are aged, and one is a calf. Similarly, both female elephants in Mattigodu are calves. There are no female elephants in Harangi.

“This is causing daily fights and conflicts among the male elephants. Mahouts and caretakers are struggling to control these elephants. There is an urgent need for strong female elephants,” a mahout, who wished to remain anonymous, told ‘Prajavani’.

“Just on Sunday, a fight broke out between Dhananjay and Kanjan, causing concern not only among tourists but also among forest officials. If there were enough capable female elephants for the existing males, such fights and conflicts would not occur,” a forest official stated.

“In the camps of Mysuru district, female elephants are also rare. However, there are relatively more female elephants in Bannerghatta, and a proposal was previously made to send some from there to the camps in Kodagu, but it has not been fruitful,” said the forest official, who wished to remain anonymous.

Responding to this, veterinarian B C Chettiyappa stated “It is true that female elephants are needed. However, just having female elephants does not ensure that all male elephants will behave. Elephants in musth need to be carefully and separately managed,” he stated.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> India> Karnataka / by Ashwani Kumar N K R / October 25th, 2024