A camp elephant of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), Ramu, died at the Varagaliyar camp on Monday.
Aged 55, the male elephant had been undergoing treatment for general weakness, debility, and tooth infection for three months.
ATR authorities said the elephant appeared dull for the past two days and it did not go for grazing in the forest area around the camp.
Based on instructions from ATR Field Director D. Venkatesh, the elephant was under the treatment and observation of Forest Veterinary Assistant Surgeon E. Vijayaraghavan.
As the elephant did not take the routine feed of camp elephants, it was given a mild concentrate diet and water. However, the elephant appeared anaemic and dehydrated, said ATR authorities.
Though the elephant was administered with liver tonic, rehydration fluids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin injections, oral supplements and easily digestible green fodder, its condition deteriorated. The elephant died at 6.20 a.m. on Monday.
Forest Department staff, mahouts, cavadis (assistants) and members from tribal settlements paid respects to the deceased elephant. The animal was buried after a post-mortem examination.
Ramu had been brought to ATR as a juvenile elephant after it was rescued from a deep pit in Kalikesam area of the Kanniyakumari Forest Division on November 20, 1978.
Published – February 10, 2025 07:45 pm IST