The former crop raider is now a gentle giant

A few scars from the gunshot wounds on his leg are all that remind the forest staff at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp of Murthy’s past.

The elephant, now 55-years-old, was captured two decades ago, when he was a habitual crop raider and was reported to have killed 21 people in Kerala and Karnataka forcing the Forest Departments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to act to stop him, sources said.

“In fact, the Kerala government had passed orders to even shoot Murthy, but he was saved by the fact that he had crossed over into Tamil Nadu, where he was eventually captured,” said M. Kirumaaran, Murthy’s mahout of the last few years.

Murthy’s past history of aggression and conflict is in stark contrast to his mild-mannered nature at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp, where he has a reputation for being one of the most dependable, intelligent and manageable of captive elephants.

“He is also quite a large elephant and exhibits all the traits most associated with elephants,” said a Forest Department official, who added that Murthy, who weighs around five tonnes, typifies the term “gentle giant.”

N. Kalaivanan, a veterinary assistant surgeon with the Department of Animal Husbandry, who monitored Murthy’s transitional phase from a crop-raiding elephant to a docile, tamed life at the Theppakadu Camp, said veterinarians treating Murthy removed 37 bullets from his body. Though Murthy was an aggressive elephant at the time of his capture, Dr. Kalaivanan pointed out that the elephant’s behaviour had changed due to confrontation with humans.

“In the years leading to his capture, Murthy had to contend with encroachments to his habitat, with humans shooting at him and tormenting him, leading to him becoming more aggressive towards humans,” he said.

Murthy was also one of the first elephants in Tamil Nadu to have been captured as an adult.

“At the time, it was not common for large, mature animals to be captured and trained,” said an official, who said that Murthy’s transformation to mild-mannered senior pachyderm at the elephant camp highlights the importance of the Theppakadu Elephant Camp in conservation.

“The camp has now ensured the survival of Murthy, who is a magnificent elephant, reduced conflict, and is now serving to raise awareness,” said another Forest Department official.

Field Director of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, K.K. Kaushal, said the mahouts at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp are some of the best in the world.

He said elephants in the camp are treated extremely well and are controlled without the use of any objects to inflict pain.

“Murthy’s journey is significant, in that it shows the value of the conservation work,” said Mr. Kaushal.

The elephant, now 55-years-old, was captured two decades ago when he was a habitual crop raider and was reported to have killed 21 people in Kerala and Karnataka