Ailing elephant recovers after four days of treatment near Coimbatore, walks into the wild

Female wild elephant recovers under T.N. Forest Department care, reunited with calf in Coimbatore forest after treatment.

A female wild elephant that had been under the care of the T.N. Forest Department for the past four days near Maruthamalai in Coimbatore district, recovered and walked into the forest on Monday, June 3, 2024.

The elephant, aged 40, was found collapsed, in a lateral recumbent position, at the Maruthamalai foothills, along with its four-month-old calf, on May 30.

Veterinarians of the Department led by A. Sukumar, initiated treatment. They rehydrated the elephant and administered vitamins, minerals, antibiotics and other drugs on the first day.

The elephant was then lifted to a standing position with the support of slings attached to a crane on the second day, following which it started taking feeds, including fodder and fruits. This arrangement also helped the calf to nurse from its mother.

The calf joined a herd of elephants, which is said to be that of its mother’s, on Saturday (June 1) morning. It, along with other elephants, also visited the mother late on Saturday.

Veterinarians continued treatment for the sick elephant until Sunday night, until they found that it had regained strength to stand on its own. The slings, which were used to lift the elephant, were removed on Monday morning and the animal walked into the forest.

According to District Forest Officer N. Jayaraj, frontline staff were tracking the elephant to monitor its health and also to ensure that it unites with its herd and calf.