The 48-day annual rejuvenation camp for elephants began at Thekkampatti on the banks of Bhavani River near Mettupalayam on Thursday.

Organised by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, the camp was inaugurated by State HR&CE Minister Sevvur Ramachandran and Forest Minister Dindigul Srinivasan by giving jaggery and sugarcane to the elephants.

The pachyderms will be given nutritious and herbal food, given healthy bath, with shower facility, special medical care, physical exercise including morning walks, during the camp, which will last till February 20.

Stating that three veterinarians will be present at the camp to monitor the elephant round the clock, official sources said there would be complete medical checkup and also treatment for specific disease.

A total of 31 elephants from temples and mutts in Tamil Nadu and two from Puducherry are participating in the camp.As part of security, high-mast lights have been installed and also erected solar-power fence to prevent the entry of wild elephants, as happened in the last two editions, official sources said.

A section of villagers and farmers had yesterday raised objection and staged a demonstration against conducting the camp for fear of the entry of wild elephants to the human habitats and agriculture fields, resulting in loss of crops.