A total of 34 elephants from various temples and mutts across Tamil Nadu are attending the 9th edition of the annual Elephant Rejuvenation Camp, which began today at Thekkampatti on the banks of Bhavani river at Mettupalayam in the district.

Another four elephants are expected to join the camp in a couple of days, which will conclude on March 10. As against 48 days, this year the camp is only for 30 days due to drought conditions prevailing in the area.

The camp, a pet project of former Chief Minister, late J Jayalalithaa, was inaugurated by HR and CE Commissioner Veershanmughamani without much fanfare, sans ministers and MLAs.

As usual the elephants are given nutritious foods, vegetables, fruits, jaggery and sugarcane, besides necessary medical aid and medicines, after being examined by a medical team, official sources said.

To prevent wild elephants straying in or attacking the camp elephants, like it did last year, a solar fence has been erected at two kms in and around the camp, with special accommodation provided for mahouts.

To monitor the camp, 16 CCTV cameras have been installed, along with a high tower surveillance camera.

District Forest Officer Ramasubramanian, and senior officials from HR and CE and Forest Department were present during the inauguration.