Elephant Bathing in India: Dubbare Elephant Camp
“I am going to help elephant have her bath” screamed my eight year old as she ran to join the mammoth creature sinking into the waters of Cauvery River. This was at Dubbare Elephant Camp in Coorg.
It was not just she; other adults and kids around ran in to join the fun. The elephant, so massive, yet empathetic, endearing, yielding to every child’s wish there, spraying water on all around; the sight was unbelievable yet real.
It was a chance to merge with nature. It felt like being alive is awesome! The squeals of laughter, the fearlessness of the people around proved that.
Elephant Bathing in India
I was very uncomfortable about this human and animal interaction. So I tried to reason out with the mahouts why they do this. His curt reply was elephants have to bathe whether you tourists come or not.
Later I chatted up with some officials/supervisors there. They explained the purpose of the camp was to rehabilitate the elephants that stray away from their groups, or rogue elephants who destroy farm and crops. People around are poor and a whole year’s effort gets wasted and lost because of the encroachment by elephants.
Elephant Bathing in India Dubbare Elephant Camp Coorg
I was at a distance watching the fun, the mahout seemed to be in full control of the situation. Dubbare elephant camp, at Coorg (former name of Kodagu) in Karnataka is an abode for retired elephants and it also doubles up as training camp for young elephants.
We were there around noon time, the time when elephants are taken for their bath.
Elephants have Dust Bath
The elephant taking dust bath was yet another interesting sight and activity for children. I am sure given a chance they would have loved to do that too. I pulled my daughter away in time lest she thinks of simulating that act too. I was prepared with a change of clothes but not with a bar of soap.
While for humans, skin is the largest organ, for elephants it is not so. Compared to its size, skin is small therefore heat dissipation from its body is less. For this reason they have two baths, a dust bath soon after their water bath. This layer protects them from sunburn, caused by UV rays.
Elephant having dust bath Dubbare Coorg
Elephants of Dubbare Camp
These elephants are tame and are loaned for Mysore Dussehra Festivals. The good elephants are used to tame the rogue elephants.
I saw how a whole cage built by the elephants to control a rogue elephant.
Read: Elephants are Right Tusked or Left Tusked?
The forest officials use elephants to get to the parts of jungles around that is inaccessible by the forest jeeps. Elephants born in captivity are by nature more docile and they join the herd duties easily.
Elephant feeding
These domesticated elephants are more like farm animals, like cows, sheep, goats. But because the expenditure of feeding and maintaining them is very high they have to depend on revenues collected from tickets and also Karnataka state government.
One good thing is they don’t offer elephants rides here like they do in Amer Fort Jaipur. We didn’t spend much time here. All the activities got over in an hour but the children were reluctant to move out.
Tips to Visit Dubbare Elephant Camp
- You can make road trip to this camp from Coorg, Mysore and Bangalore. Roads are in good condition.
- Tickets for bathing elephants are: 100INR for Indians and 200INR for foreigners.
- If you are bold enough you can feed them too. Fruits are the best option.
- This is a government owned place, follow rules and regulations.
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(This post was for #aliveisawesome contest by Cinthol.)
what an experience! haha…
I agree, it's indeed an awesome experience. Great shot.
Thou DUbare is not much of a ditance from my place, neva been there yet!
That spells fun! I am sure everytime when elephant sprinkles water shower from his trumpet, what an exhilarating exp that would be 🙂
That must be a lot of fun! Wish I could experience like that too.
Visiting from Water World Wednesday and thanks for joining
Kim,USA
Amazing experience for kids and adults alike.
The info about the dust bath is very interesting. That explains why they do that so often.
Isn't it always fun to watch elephants bathe; in water or dust, right?
I have done it myself and trust me she will remember it for ever!
What a fascinating experience for adults and kids.!
You sure are always on travel, how much fun it is.A fine life style, visiting places and taking it all in.And writing a blog too!
Waiting for your next post.:-)
Thanks.
That is a lovely experience.
http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Interesting to read about the dust bath..
aah your daughter sure would have loved to have that dust bath!
A lovely bath for the elephant, and your daughter.
Nice photos, a fun experience. Greetings.
Wonderful shots from the camp. The elephants are so huge and powerful, yet there is something in them that attract all.
Amazing pics, elephants are such complex and interesting critters.
Great shots. It looks like a fun time with the elephant.
These are amazing giants. Thanks for these images and the story.
that must have been amazing – and fun. 🙂 your 8 yr old sounds cute. 🙂
This must have been a fascinating experience. It looks as if many people wanted to help the elephant with his water bath. I'm glad there is such a place for retired elephants.
So interesting. I had no idea elephants need to take two baths a day!
That sounds wonderful and jumbo joy! I never know the reason for its double bath.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
What a wonderful post, Indrani!! And what fun! My kids would have loved to be a part of this!! Such interesting information regarding their dust bath! I had no idea!! Thanks for sharing the fun!! Have a lovely evening!!
I would love to be with the elephants too and enjoy being sprinkled with water 😀
Thanks for the interesting info you shared about their skin.. perhaps that's the reason why it looks so wrinkled? Maybe they need some moisturizer on 🙂
That's a fabulous and fun experience!! Agree with Bikram, you should have allowed the kid to have the mud bath too, but in the reverse order to that of the elephants! 🙂
he he he you shud have let the little one have fun.. and hey dont u know people spend thousands of rupess to have that MUD bath in the fancy salons he he heh 🙂
Bikram's
lovely!! along with information and pictures, which we regularly do at your blog, we got a glimpse of you and your daughter. enjoyed the read.
This was magical! I would have joined in too
Hugs
SueAnn
Something a girl will remember forever!
What an amazing scene.
Not sure I would be so brave.
Great fun! Didn't know the fact behind the dust bath..thank you 🙂
Oh, what a fabulous experience this must have been!
Yes, I loved this session too at Dubbare.