Elephant Arjuna, the majestic 3-metre-tall mammal known for carrying the golden howdah during Dasara, died during an operation to nab a wild tusker near Yeslur in Sakleshpur taluk. Arjuna suffered grievous injuries and instantly collapsed to his death while trying to single-handedly take on the rampaging tusker. The incident occurred on the 11th day of the operation, marking the first such tragedy in Karnataka. The loss of Arjuna has left a shortage of trained elephants for rescue operations and the Mysuru Dasara procession.
