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Wounded jumbo battles for life in Tamil Nadu
by Jaikumar

     Wodapatti (Dharmapuri) (Tamil Nadu): An elephant found badly wounded near Wodapatti, near Karnataka border, last week is battling helplessly for life. Forest rangers, who first spotted the wounded pachyderm, believe that it must have suffered internal injuries after falling down on the ground following a fight with the members of its herd. Villagers, however, helped the forest department personnel who fed the jumbo with glucose as well as bananas, watermelons, sugarcane and rice. They also attempted to shift the elephant's posture to avoid body sores though in vain. Later, the rangers were trying to get a crane to lift the elephant to stand up but even that attempt failed. A veterinarian, summoned by the forest department, said that the elephant's left leg and left hip were severely injured. He also observed that the elephant must have been lying in the same position for a fortnight, as it had developed sores. "We called the specialist Dr. Manohar from Coimbatore and he came and gave calcium, glucose and other medicines. He also tried to make elephant stand from lying position with the help of JVC but the elephant could not stand up. We are continuing medications with the local doctors for the last two days," said Ratnam, the conservator of Pennagram Range in Dharmapuri. The elephant is being fed through injections running into dozens per day besides glucose and some fruits, which are fed through its mouth. A round the clock vigil is being maintained. The forest department is keeping a close watch on the elephant and a team of veterinarians is attending to the elephant regularly with regular medication.
-Mar 5,  2008