Shobhakalli’s 7th calf named Bhupendra Gaj

By Baburam Karki,Barahakshetra, Nov. 27: The naming ceremony of a baby elephant born 11 days ago at the Bhakalpur post on the western side of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) has been performed according to Hindu traditional rituals.

The calf, the seventh offspring of Shobhakalli -- a domesticated elephant kept at the post for patrolling -- received its name during the ceremony.

Bhupendra Prasad Yadav, Senior Conservation Officer of KTWR, officials of the Nepali Army and reserve staff and others attended the ritual.

 Shobhakalli was adorned and worshipped with lamps, sacred water, vermilion powder and flowers by the priest before being offered special food. The priest named the newborn calf as Bhupendra Gaj.

After the naming, Yadav put a garland and vermilion on the calf and expressed his happiness. Staff from the elephant stable, mahouts and conservation workers also celebrated the birth of Bhupendra Gaj.

Yadav said the birth of a new elephant in Koshi Tappu was an encouraging sign for wildlife management and conservation in the reserve.

According to him, naming ceremony is organised for each new-born calf born to elephants kept for reserve protection on the 11th day of their birth. New calves are named by the reserve office, and the name is formally announced in the presence of the Chief Conservation Officer.  Bhupendra Gaj was named following all these rituals.

Shobhakalli’s fourth, fifth and sixth calves did not survive, but the seventh calf, Bhupendra Gaj, is reported to be healthy, said Birendra Gautam, Koshi Province Chief of the National Trust for Nature Conservation.

“Shobhakalli has been under continuous supervision by senior veterinary technicians since delivery,” he said.

Shobhakalli was brought to the western Bhakalpur post from Koshi Tappu three years ago. 

The reserve office said Bhupendra Gaj was born following mating with a roaming wild bull elephant. Trained elephants have long been used to strengthen patrolling inside the reserve.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve currently has 15 elephants, of which four are deployed on duty at Chitwan National Park.

Trained elephants play an important role in reducing human–wildlife conflict, monitoring rhinos and other wildlife, managing grassland areas and preventing illegal activities. 

Eleven elephants are currently engaged in patrolling, grazing management and conservation work within the reserve, said the office.