Karnataka Forest Department

About Sakrebailu

A century-old elephant camp on the banks of the sacred River Tunga — where 25 magnificent elephants live, train, and inspire generations.

120+ Years of Heritage
25 Elephants
Western Ghats
🐘
25
Resident Elephants
📜
120+
Years of Service
🌳
500K+
Acres Protected
👑
15×
Dasara Carries
Our Story

More than a camp.
A living heritage.

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp, located near Shivamogga along the banks of the River Tunga, is one of Karnataka's most celebrated elephant training centres. Established and operated by the Karnataka Forest Department, it currently houses 25 elephants — both wild-captured kumki elephants and camp-born calves.

The camp plays a vital role in training elephants for wildlife management operations including driving, rescue, and conflict mitigation. Several of our elephants have served with distinction at the Mysuru and Shivamogga Dasara festivals and in Bollywood and Kannada films.

🌊
River Tunga
Sacred banks of the Western Ghats
🏞️
Shivamogga
14 km from the city centre
🐘
25
Elephants Cared For
What Drives Us

Mission & Vision

Our Mission

Protecting Habitats, Healing Lives

To preserve the ecological integrity of elephant landscapes by integrating advanced scientific research with grass-roots community initiatives, ensuring tolerant coexistence between species across Karnataka.

Our Vision

Elephants Roaming Free

A world where elephants roam free in connected corridors, protected by those who live alongside them, and valued as keystone engineers of Karnataka's biodiversity for generations to come.

Our Work

What We Do

Seven core programmes — from rescue training to community education — shaping how Karnataka coexists with its largest land mammal.

🎯
01

Kumki Training

Specialised forest rescue and conflict operations

💚
02

Welfare & Care

Daily nutrition, shelter and dignity for 25 residents

🤝
03

Conflict Mitigation

Reducing human-elephant conflict across Karnataka

🎓
04

Community Education

Eco-tourism and outreach for school groups

🏥
05

Veterinary Health

On-site medical care and routine health monitoring

🌱
06

Breeding Programme

In-camp calves raised by experienced mothers

👑
07

Cultural Service

Dasara, Hampi Utsav and ceremonial duties

🐘
Explore Further

Meet our
25 elephants

View Profiles
A Century in the Forest

Our Heritage

1905

Camp Established

The Karnataka Forest Department founds the Sakrebailu Elephant Camp on the Tunga riverbank.

1950s

Kumki Training Begins

The camp formalises kumki elephant training for forest operations and rescue missions across Karnataka.

2000s

Public Education Hub

Sakrebailu opens to visitors, becoming a national-class destination for ethical elephant encounters.

Today

Living Heritage

Home to 25 elephants. A model of conservation, training, and welfare worldwide.

Be Part of the Story

Visit · Adopt · Donate

Every visitor, every adopter, every donor sustains the work — feeding, healing, and protecting the 25 elephants of Sakrebailu for the next century.