Sampath Kumar BBC reporter in Madras

The government-sponsored camp in the Mudumalai sanctuary is aimed at rejuvenating more than 80 elephants belonging to various temples and individual owners.

A stressful life can send elephants over the edge

Tamil Nadu is the second southern state to introduce annual holidays for working elephants.

The decision to provide rest for the elephants was announced by chief minister J Jayalalitha.

It was prompted by the recommendations of a government team that studied the upkeep of elephants in Kerala, which employs hundreds of elephants for temple festivals.

Concern for the animals has been in focus following increasing attacks by these elephants on humans.

At least four people have been killed in such attacks in Kerala in recent months.

Fatigue and ill-treatment of the elephants are believed to be the reason for the elephants going berserk.

Commando elephants

At Tamil Nadu's first elephant camp, the government has made special arrangements to ensure their proper care.

There is a special medical centre to treat the animals in case they fall sick, and a kitchen to prepare their food, which includes cooked rice.

There is also a unit of five commando elephants to tackle rogues.

Details including the history, health and character of the elephants have also been made available.

Some of the elephants had to travel long distances on trucks to reach the site of the camp, sprawling in more than five acres.

They were given a week's training to board the trucks.

The authorities say participating in the month-long camp will provide these working elephants with the much needed rest they deserve.