Forest officials, veterinarians go all out to save ailing jumbo

A senior forest department official said that they could not ascertain the exact cause for its ailment. But they were making all efforts to put the jumbo back on its feet. District Forest Officer S Ramasubramanian said that the elephant seems to be 30 to 35 years old. It was part of a herd of six that was spotted by villagers on Tuesday night near a temple close to Periya Thadagam. On Wednesday morning, they saw the ailing elephant down on a piece of agricultural land about 200 metres from the forest boundary. 

“The animal was exhausted as it had tried to get on its feet throughout the previous night. We started treating it around 10 in the morning and the process is still continuing,” the DFO said in the evening. The elephant was first given balls of jaggery, glucose and salt for instant energy. “It started to respond,” he added. 

After it was fed with bananas and canes, the jumbo gained some strength and started to wipe the sweat with its trunk. On our part, we sourced a fire tender and splashed water on its body to provide cover to the animal from the scorching mercury. Meanwhile, doses meant for fever and stomach ailment was given to the elephant. However, the elephant could not be back in action as there was no blood circulation to one side of its body for more than half a day. Late in the evening Kumki Pari and an earth mover were brought to the spot to lift and make the elephant stand. 

Despite the attempts of forest officials, the animal’s condition continue to be an issue of concern.