GUJARAT: Maya, the 18-month-old orphaned elephant calf from Kerala, is now in intensive care at Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where she was airlifted on 6 November after a Kerala medical board had recommended euthanasia.
The calf, who has not been able to stand since a fall in July, was flown out on a life-support aircraft arranged by Vantara. Kerala's Chief Wildlife Warden, Dr P. Pugazhendi, ordered the transfer on 5 November after seeking a wider expert opinion rather than accepting the board's recommendation of 29 October.
That second opinion changed the case. Padma Shri Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma, an Assam elephant veterinarian and Vantara's veterinary advisor, reviewed her X-rays and blood work on 4 November and identified a possible parathyroid-related disorder that could respond to treatment. Dr Yaduraj Khadpekar, head veterinarian at Vantara's elephant care centre, concurred, and the medical board unanimously agreed to give her a chance.
Maya was found abandoned as a dehydrated newborn near Kaprikkad in the Malayattoor division on 19 April 2025, after her herd crossed a river without her. She was hand-reared round the clock at Abhayaranyam in Kodanad and could not suckle naturally.
She slipped while playing on 2 July 2026 and injured her right shoulder. A 24 October examination found a fractured left humerus, multiple fractures in the right radius, generalised bone thinning, a chest infection and pressure sores, with a grave prognosis.
She travelled with her treating veterinarian, Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer Dr Binoy C. Babu, and her familiar mahout Nikhil Babu, who will stay with her through treatment, along with three Vantara veterinarians. Vantara has proposed a six-month programme that may include hormone therapy and advanced diagnostics, with hydraulic lifting support and hydrotherapy. Kerala retains charge of her care and Vantara will fund the treatment and her return to Abhayaranyam.
(With inputs from PTI and media reports)