The Shivamogga Dasara elephant incident has triggered demands for an independent investigation and disciplinary action against senior forest officials after tusker Somanna, carrying a 450-kilogram silver howdah, ran out of control during the procession. Wildlife groups, Kannada organisations and environmentalists have alleged failures in elephant management, medical oversight and crowd safety.
Representatives of the Malenadu Wildlife and Cultural Foundation, Kannada organisations and environmentalists Srikanth, Ravi Prasad and Dileep Nadig named Chief Conservator of Forests, Shivamogga Circle, KT Hanumanthappa and Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Prasanna Krishna Patgar while calling for their suspension. The allegations were made at a news conference on Friday.
The groups rejected the forest department’s internal inquiry and sought either an independent police investigation or a probe by a Special Investigation Team. They alleged that the incident reflected administrative failures rather than an issue that should be attributed solely to the animal.
According to the organisations, authorities had initially planned for elephant Sagar to carry the ceremonial howdah, but the animal later developed a leg injury. They questioned why Sagar had been considered for the procession after treatment for the injury and whether Somanna had undergone an adequate assessment of physical and mental stress before being selected.
The groups also raised concerns about the management of the Sakrebailu Elephant Camp, alleging that it did not have permanent expert veterinary care and relied on temporary or contract doctors. They sought greater transparency over the Rs 5 lakh reportedly spent on food for elephants participating in Dasara and asked why government recommendations made in 2019 to relocate and upgrade the camp had not been implemented.
The organisations further claimed that at least 10 elephants had died at the camp over the past decade. These claims were part of their demand for structural reforms and a broader review of how elephants are trained, medically assessed and deployed for public ceremonies. The supplied report does not include an independent confirmation of those allegations.
The Shivamogga Dasara tradition is said to be around 350 years old and dates to the period of Shivappa Nayaka. The groups said the tradition should be protected, but argued that animals should not be blamed for what they described as administrative failures. They warned of severe protests unless disciplinary action and reforms were initiated immediately.
Shivamogga district minister Madhu Bangarappa said further action would be taken after a scientific report on the procession incident is submitted. Speaking to the media in Bengaluru, Bangarappa said the exact reason for the elephant’s panic had not yet been established.
He said it was possible that the elephant had been frightened by band music and the large, dense crowd. Officials have been directed to prepare a scientific report, which will be reviewed before any further action is initiated. The report will determine the next official response to the incident and the demands for disciplinary action and an independent investigation.
