A wild elephant which was found severely ill in Kudmura village in Chhattisgarh's Korba Forest Division on June 14 is still not able to stand on its legs but is recovering rapidly, Forest Department officials said on Sunday.
“The condition of the male elephant is gradually improving and it is stable now. We are providing the animal the best possible treatment,” Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Arun Pandey said.
Dr Rakesh Verma, a veterinary officer monitoring the condition of the animal, said the elephant is showing positive healthy signs. However, he has not been able to muster strength to stand up.
“The elephant, which is between 7 and 8 years of age, on Sunday consumed about 10 kg sugarcane, 5 kg khichri and about 40-50 liters of water. It is now having bowel movements. This is a good sign as a week back he was neither eating anything nor passing dung,” Dr Verma said.
According to Dr Verma, due to severe worm infection in the stomach, the elephant had developed ulcers in its mouth which slowly got converted into wounds. Now after medication the wounds are healing and the elephant has started to eat.
Also, to avoid bed sore, he was receiving mud therapy, Dr Verma said.
The continuous downpour over the past few days has created a major huddle as trucks are not able to reach the spot where the elephant is stationed, the doctor said.
The Forest Department has planned to shift the elephant to the nearby Ramkola forest where a group of trained elephants is stationed.
“Elephants live in herd and getting in touch with other elephants could help its recovery process,” Dr Verma said.