Finally, the injured tusker, aged about 15 years, was traced by forest personnel of Keonjhar after 17 days of search on Sunday.
A team led by Champua Forest Range Officer Ghanashyam Barik caught the tusker through tranquilisation in the Similipal tiger reserve area. The jumbo has now been kept under medical treatment under guidance of Dr Khaneen Changmayee. Antibiotics and vitamins are being administered to heal its injury.
According to officials, the internal deep injury hind bone is matter of concern for doctors.
The deep injury might have been caused due to infighting between the male elephants in the team or a fall from a high place.
“Right now, nothing can be told how many it will take for complete cure of the elephant as chances of recovery are very less in such cases. The hind bone carries 70 per cent load of the elephant body,” said a doctor.
However, the Range Officer stated that camera would be installed near the elephant to monitor the activities of the tranqulised elephant.