Ailing male wild elephant gets medical aid
Two trained kumki elephants (either side) controlling the ailing male wild elephant (centre) at Mangarai Forest Rest House near Coimbatore.The Forest Department has commenced efforts for providing medical aid for an ailing male wild elephant aged around 13 years along the fringe areas of the reserve forests in Mankarai, about 25 km from Coimbatore city. The ailing elephant was first noticed in the first week of August and close monitoring of the elephant by the Forest Veterinarian, N.S. Manharan, began at the instructions of the District Forest Officer, I. Anwardeen, and Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle, R. Kannan. The initial medical examination revealed that the animal showed signs of profuse salivation, thus, revealing severe infections in the intestinal and respiratory tracts. The elephant was seen breathing orally. The elephant after oral medication gained strength and started moving around.The elephant turned sick once again and turned averse to natural food causing disturbance to the residents.
The forest team led by Dr. Manoharan resorted to the strategy of capture, restrain and tethering to gain control and then start the medical aid. Through manual efforts and use of tamed and trained elephants (kumkis) Inder (56) and Wasim (30) from the Mudumalai Sanctuary, the pachyderm was brought under control on August 30.The roped and chained ailing pachyderm was brought to the treatment site i.e., the Mangarai Forest Rest House by foot. Under instructions from Mr. Kannan and Mr. Anwardeen, a team led by Dr. Manoharan have commenced the treatment. Antibiotics, B-complex and its supplements, liver tonics, vitamins and minerals were given through injections as well as orally.
The medicines were camouflaged in rice balls, ragi and horse grams and were given along with asafoetida, green ginger, pepper, jaggery, salt, garlic and gingelly oil. Given the health, the ailing elephant was being given more food. The infections and wounds on the elephant was healing fast. The treatment would continue for seven to 10 days till the animal recovered.
