President gifts Jumbo from city zoo to Armenia

Star of Mysore, India
Sept 24 2004

PRESIDENT GIFTS JUMBO FROM CITY ZOO TO ARMENIA

Journey from Mysore on Oct 12

Mysore, Sept. 24 – The precious gift from President of India to the
President of Armenia is receiving royal treatment at the century-old
Mysore Zoo. Seven-year-old female elephant Komala will be airlifted
to the Armenian capital Yerewan either on October 12 or 13. A team
from the Armenian Embassy is visiting the Mysore Zoo on October 2 to
review the measures taken for its travel.

Arrangement for Komala’s journey is being made and a specially-built
container has been designed by the Zoo engineers for its comfortable
journey to the Armenian Zoo.

A special flight will arrive at the Bangalore airport from Armenia to
airlift the jumbo to Yerewan. Komala’s partner, a male elephant from
Moscow Zoo, has already reached the Yerewan Zoo. Komala and the
Moscow elephant will be paired shortly.

Komala will undergo ‘biological conditioning’ inside the container to
adjust the animal to the conditions. The jumbo will be kept inside
the container (crate) for 10 days and feeding will be done inside.

Zoo Veterinarian Dr. S.M. Khadri, who is accompanying Komala to
Armenia, disclosed that Komala is getting special care. Its health
care, diet and vitamin supplement are looked after with special
attention by the Zoo vets.

Komala was separated from other elephants after it was decided to
gift the animal as per the request from the president of India.

Besides Dr. Khadri, the Director General of Forests and Central Zoo
Authority of India (CZA) Member Secretary Mr. Rajesh Gopal will
accompany the Jaumbo Komala to Armenia.

Among other elephants from renowned Zoos in the country Komala was
selected as she fulfilled all the prescribed conditions.

The authorities wanted an elephant in the age group of seven to eight
years. Komala is exceptionally good in its behaviour, temperament,
fitness, features and health, Dr. Khadri explained.

The F2 elephant

Only ‘F2’ elephants are sent to Zoos in foreign countries. ‘F2’ means
an elephant born in captivity. Komala was born to Gajalakshmi and
Jayaprakash. Gajalakshmi continues to attract visitors in Mysore Zoo.
Jayaprakash was specially brought to the Zoo from Bandipur for
breeding purposes.

Describing Komala as an ‘obedient’ jumbo, Dr. Khadri said she is
undergoing a training to learn commands from the trainers. As it was
with her mother all these years, this special training is being given
to update it with all necessary commands.

Dr. Khadri said all precautions have been taken for the smooth
airlift of Komala to Armenia. It will be airlefted with mild
sedation.

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