Tenkasi: An injured elephant calf was successfully reunited with its mother in Vallam village near Courtallam on Friday night, after being rescued and treated for maggot-infested wounds by the Tenkasi forest department. The department rescued an injured elephant calf from farmland in Vallam village on the morning of May 21. Forest officials, after examining the calf, found that it was around three to four months old and stranded with several wounds in its trunk and hind leg. The calf could not even walk and was helpless. A team of veterinary doctors started treating the calf immediately.
Rescue and Treatment
Tenkasi district forest officer (DFO) Rajmohan told TOI that the team of doctors examined the calf and found maggot-infested wounds and infection on its stomach. They administered IV fluids to regain its strength and treated the injury with topical medicines. “We gave oral medication along with vitamins, supplements, jaggery, and antibiotics. X-rays were taken, and no fracture injuries were found, and it was clear that there are no signs of hunting or animal bite injury,” he added. He said that the calf slowly regained its strength and became active.
Reunion Process
“On Friday at around 10.30pm, the mother elephant trumpeted and searched for its calf. Sensing its emotions, forest officials applied the dung of the mother elephant and let it free. The calf was successfully reunited with the mother, and she accepted the calf. Sometimes the smell of the human and medicine could make the mother reject its calf, so we applied the dung of the mother,” he explained. Though the calf was treated well, the forest department will keep on monitoring it for the next 10 days.
About the Author: Ahamed Ali is a senior reporter working in Madurai, covering crime and forests. He loves writing human interest stories.
