Routine crop-raiding made wild elephant ‘Rolex’ gain unusual weight of 6.5 tonnes

The wild elephant nicknamed ‘Rolex’ that was captured by the Forest Department from Boluvampatti valley in Coimbatore district on October 17 weighed over six tonnes, which was unusual for an Asian elephant in the wild.

Forest Department officials and veterinarians were surprised to find that the tusker weighed 6.5 tonnes after the capture.

“This elephant (Rolex) was an extremely different type of elephant as it weighed 6.5 tonnes. This weight is hardly found in Asian elephants in the wild. This range of weight is found in African elephants and not in Asian elephants. This elephant had lived for a very long time near human habitations, habituated to crop-raiding,” said Rakesh Kumar Dogra, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, who had tasked a fact-finding committee to find out reasons for the elephant’s death after its translocation to the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).

According to him, the animal had underlying conditions that affected its heart. “The committee is yet to submit the report. As per the initial findings, the elephant died due to cardiomyopathy,” he said.

The elephant, aged 50 or above as per the molar progression, had lived in stressful situations for several years as it was used to regular crop-raiding and the counter drives by field staff. Mr. Dogra said all samples collected from the carcass were sent to multiple laboratories for histopathological examinations.

Veterinarian N. Kalaivanan, who is associated with the Department for several years, said he had not come across an elephant of this weight.

According to him, female Asian elephants weigh an average of 3 to 3.5 tonnes whereas males weigh 4 to 4.5 tonnes in the wild in their prime age. In rare cases, some elephants weigh up to 5.5 tonnes. Camp elephants like Mudumalai and Anna of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve weighed around 5.2 tonnes, he said.

“The elephant had been habituated to crop-raiding for 15 to 20 years consuming non-forest fodder. It used the reserve forest boundary as a safe zone and mostly depended on nutritious crops for fodder needs,” said Dr. Kalaivanan, explaining reasons for the enormous physique the animal gained.

N.S. Manoharan, Additional Director of Veterinary Services (retd), said routine crop-raiding in a short span of time could have resulted in the weight gain. Its diet included nutritious and fibre-rich food comprising crops like banana, sugarcane, coconut, and areca palm leaves, and there is no wastage as in the case of forest fodder.

“I have not come across an elephant that weighed 6.5 tonnes and it is excessive weight for an Asian wild elephant. Camp elephant Kaleem of ATR weighed upto 5.5 tonnes. Pari was another camp elephant that weighed above five tonnes,” he said.

According to him, Rolex had not been wandering for long stretches for feed. It used to roam within a three-four km circle, resulting in less physical activity for a wild elephant.