For over 30 years, Kaleem, Tamil Nadu’s most trusted kumki elephant, has stood as a guardian of forests, a protector of villages, and a force of peace in human-wildlife conflict. Under the steady guidance of his mahout, Mani, this 8-foot-tall, 5-tonne giant has helped capture, tame, and guide nearly 100 wild elephants back into the forests—preventing countless losses of lives and livelihoods. This gentle giant has not only managed rogue elephants but has also rescued those trapped in pits and pulled heavy logs through the dense, slushy forests of Topslip. Now at 57 years old, Kaleem is in the twilight of his illustrious career. While he is still active, his age means that the forest department has begun training new kumki elephants to follow in his footsteps. However, his strength, intelligence, and unmatched obedience have made him irreplaceable. From Kerala to Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh to West Bengal, his legacy stretches far beyond Tamil Nadu. “The bond of Kaleem and Mani is beyond beautiful,” shared IAS Supriya Sahu, highlighting a touching video captured by Pravin Shanmughanandam. As Kaleem continues his journey, the forests of Tamil Nadu will forever echo with his mighty presence. #kaleem #wildlifeconservation #elephant #tamilnadu #kumkielephant [Kaleem the Kumki, Tamil Nadu, elephant conservation, Mahout and elephant bond]