Efforts on to treat injured elephant calf

Thalavadi, Tamil Nadu, Jan 21 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Forest officials attempt to treat an injured calf elephant in Mariyapuram Forest Area near here, has been stalled for the last three days due to resistance from its mother.

Talking to UNI here today, a forest official said they had recieved information about an injured elephant calf, surrounded by four to five pachyderms, from the locals on Friday night.

They rushed to the spot and found that the calf was unable to stand due to injuries in its hind legs. The officials brought a 'kumki' from Theppakkadu in Nilgiris district on Saturday evening to separate the calf from the herd.

Though the 'kumki' (trained elephant) succeeded in sending all the pachyderms back to the forest, the mother prevented the veterinarians from going near the calf to examine the injuries.

However, a mahout managed to provide some glucose to the one-and-half-year-old animal.

The official, however, expressed confidence of succeeding in providing treatment to the animal with sustained efforts by this evening.

UNI KS SJ GM DS RN1554