Bhubaneswar, Dec 16: A female elephant rescued from the Betananti Chuabhand forest in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district is undergoing treatment in a critical condition at the Elephant Treatment Centre in Bangiriposhi Talabandh, forest officials said on Monday.
The elephant has suffered severe injuries to its jaw, which is badly infected, and its tongue has been cut into three parts, rendering it unable to eat on its own. Forest department officials said the animal is being fed liquid food and administered antibiotics. A senior veterinary doctor from Nandankanan Zoo may be called in for further treatment if required.
According to officials, the elephant was part of a herd of 27 that had crossed the Budhabalanga river into Nilgiri before returning to the Betanati range. On Friday morning, the injured female elephant was spotted separately with deep wounds on its mouth and tongue. Local residents noticed the animal bleeding and struggling to drink water due to the injuries.
Suspecting serious trauma, villagers alerted the Forest Department. A special team from the Betanati Range and Chuapada forest division rushed to the spot. Officials said tranquilising the elephant was challenging due to its distressed and erratic movements, but the team eventually managed to sedate it.
The elephant was then lifted with the help of a JCB machine, loaded onto a truck and shifted to the Bangiriposhi Talabandh Rehabilitation Centre for specialised treatment. Forest officials confirmed that the injuries to the jaw and tongue are critical.
An investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the injuries. While local eyewitnesses suspect the elephant may have consumed explosives or been injured by a sharp weapon, officials said the exact reason is yet to be established. The Forest Department said all necessary steps are being taken to ensure the animal’s recovery as the probe continues.
