Kodanad elephant camp

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Kodanad is an elephant rescue centre about an hour from Cochin. If you turn up before 8am you can watch the mahouts scrub their elephants with coconut husks in the Periyar river.

The animals are surprisingly dainty, placing their feet carefully as they negotiated the slippery river bank. They are also tremendously charismatic - no wonder so many stories are told about elephants!

The largest liked having her feet scrubbed. She was also the most cooperative, as if she realised her two carers had drawn a short straw having to clean her massive body. Another elephant was a 'little bit mad' and rolled about using her trunk as a snorkel. The third and smallest elephant was cheeky, as was her mahout, who made sure she was singled out for photos and therefore tips.

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