Coimbatore: The temple elephant rejuvenation camp that kick-started yesterday with emotions running high is carrying with it many interesting stories. Stories about the bond among elephants and the bond among mahouts. But greater is the bond between the mahouts and elephants which can be seen in all corners of the camp site at Thekkampatti in Mettupalayam.
Coimbatore: The temple elephant rejuvenation camp that kick-started yesterday with emotions running high is carrying with it many interesting stories. Stories about the bond among elephants and the bond among mahouts. But greater is the bond between the mahouts and elephants which can be seen in all corners of the camp site at Thekkampatti in Mettupalayam.
While almost every elephant and the mahouts here have a story to tell, some of them are stories of grit and pure love that melt even the strongest of hearts.
The story of 25-year-old Gomathy and her mahout S. Sanal Kumar is one such story, portraying how the dedication of a mahout, who helped Gomathy successfully fight against the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) along with the help of veterinarians.
Gomathy, the elephant from the Sankaranarayanasamy Koil in Sankaran Koil is one of the 28 elephants that are attending the 48-day-long elephant rejuvenation camp. Her disease had restricted from attending the camp in 2016, where she was deemed unfit to travel.
It was initially identified by veterinarians in the same camp in January 2015, and doctors had advised the mahout to take treatment as it could become worse.
The worse nightmare became a reality for Gomathy as her movements were restricted by the disease. The pads of her feet started wearing out making her unable to take even a single step.
It took enormous efforts by the mahout Sanal Kumar to treat her along with veterinary experts.
Nothing worked out and she soon suffered from septicaemia as sand entered the wound. However, the will and grit shown by Sanal Kumar kept the hopes alive for Gomathy who began to respond well for the treatment.
She was administered with liquid paraffin and castor oil regularly and treatment proved effective as she regained her strength in three months. The disease was completely cured complimenting the efforts taken by Sanal Kumar. Now she is fit and healthy and walks majestically in the campsite.
Interestingly, Gomathy is not just any ordinary temple elephant. She carries the gene of her father Kaleem, one of the most experienced and senior Kumki elephant of Tamil Nadu, the camp leader of the Kozhikamuthi Kumki elephant camp in Top Slip. Her mother Selvi is also a famous elephant belonging to the Forest Department.
While almost every elephant and the mahouts here have a story to tell, some of them are stories of grit and pure love that melt even the strongest of hearts.
The story of 25-year-old Gomathy and her mahout S. Sanal Kumar is one such story, portraying how the dedication of a mahout, who helped Gomathy successfully fight against the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) along with the help of veterinarians.
Gomathy, the elephant from the Sankaranarayanasamy Koil in Sankaran Koil is one of the 28 elephants that are attending the 48-day-long elephant rejuvenation camp. Her disease had restricted from attending the camp in 2016, where she was deemed unfit to travel.
It was initially identified by veterinarians in the same camp in January 2015, and doctors had advised the mahout to take treatment as it could become worse.
The worse nightmare became a reality for Gomathy as her movements were restricted by the disease. The pads of her feet started wearing out making her unable to take even a single step.
It took enormous efforts by the mahout Sanal Kumar to treat her along with veterinary experts.
Nothing worked out and she soon suffered from septicaemia as sand entered the wound. However, the will and grit shown by Sanal Kumar kept the hopes alive for Gomathy who began to respond well for the treatment.
She was administered with liquid paraffin and castor oil regularly and treatment proved effective as she regained her strength in three months. The disease was completely cured complimenting the efforts taken by Sanal Kumar. Now she is fit and healthy and walks majestically in the campsite.
Interestingly, Gomathy is not just any ordinary temple elephant. She carries the gene of her father Kaleem, one of the most experienced and senior Kumki elephant of Tamil Nadu, the camp leader of the Kozhikamuthi Kumki elephant camp in Top Slip. Her mother Selvi is also a famous elephant belonging to the Forest Department.