49 elephants attend rejuvenation camp

With the arrival of 49 elephants belonging to various temples, mutts and forest department, the 48-day rejuvenation camp for elephants began at a specially created place near Mettupalayam in the district today.
The pachyderms -- 31 from temples and mutts and 18 belonging to forest department -- are attending the camp, during which they would be given nutritious food, besides much needed rest, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment minister Sendurapandian told reporters.
Located at Thekkapmatti and Nellithurai, the camp would provide relief to the elephants both physically and mentally, he said.
Two elephants -- Fathimabeevi from Nagore Darga and another from Thiruvanaidakavu -- are expected to join late in the evening, he said.

Seven-year old, Sundaravalli of Alagar Temple in Madurai, which is attending the camp for the third time, is the youngest and 12 elephants from different places, which refused to board the truck, would be brought in a day or two, sources at the camp said.