As many as 19 kumki elephants from the Mudumalai Region attended the Elephant Rejuvenation Camp at the Theppakadu elephant camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve here on Thursday.

The rejuvenation camp was arranged by the Tamil Nadu government so as to maintain health and hygiene of the elephants in the camp.

According to a higher official from the forest department, kumki elephants are more closely monitored than the temple elephants and hence handling them would be easier as most often temple elephants exhibit rough behaviour. “The elephants would take a break from their regular safari rides and would relax,” he said.

The camp has been organized by the state government for 8th consecutive year for 48 days each.

“While 19 elephants are participating in the camp, four are monitored separately as they are in musth and one is undergoing medical treatment,” said an official.

The camp was earlier inaugurated by Tamil Nadu State Forest Principal Secretary to Government Han Raj Verma.