A 12-year-old injured tusker treated by the Forest Department physicians and personnel at Jambukandi, Anaikatti Foothills
Coimbatore: An elephant at Jambukandi forest area in Anaikatti foothills was found with injury to the mouth. The injury has made the tusker unable to consume food.
On witnessing this, people in the vicinity informed the Forest Department officials who rushed to the spot. Officials from the Periyanaickenpalayam Forest Office under Forest Ranger Suresh conducted a vigil for a period. They found that the male tusker, estimated to be about 12 years old, had an injury to its mouth.
Veterinarian Dr. Sugumar's team has started treating the elephant by feeding it with a jackfruit loaded with antibiotics, pain killers, digestives, and immune boosters. Dr. Sugumar said the pachyderm could have sustained injury from wooden sticks while grazing. He added that the elephant could have gone foodless for about 10 days as a result of which it seems weak.
To the amazement of many, the elephant took the medicated food from the team's hands without causing any problem. It was seen to consume the food, walk a few meters away to rest for some time and then come again towards the department team to get food. The cooperation displayed by the pachyderm has surprised the treatment team.
The doctor added it could take 3 to 4 days for the elephant to fully recover.