Naraj: The health condition of an ailing female elephant undergoing treatment at Banara in Chandaka-Damapada wildlife sanctuary has shown sign of improving from Friday, informed OUAT professor Dr Niranjan Sahu, who is treating the animal.
The elephant fell ill Thursday, and a team comprising of Damapada forest department, experts from OUAT and Herpes experts has since been treating the elephant.
The team had to use earthmovers to help the animal turn side. But from Friday midnight, it could move its trunk and legs on its own. For the first time since Thursday, it was given cucumbers, sugarcanes and some fruits. Though it took fruits with its trunk, it was not able to chew them.
“Due to illness and remaining starved for days together, it has become weak. It would regain its strength once it starts taking food,” informed Dr Sahu.
Regional chief conservator of forests (RCCF) Dibakar Mishra Friday visited the spot to see for himself how the treatment was going on. ACF Ramakanta Nayak, Sarat Chandra Behera, Damapada ranger Sangram Keshari Mahanti, deputy ranger Niranjan Mohanta, forester Rakesh Parida and staff of forest department have camped at the spot and monitoring the treatment.
Notably, a herd of elephants was seen moving in the locality Thursday. Due to some reasons, the female elephant, said to be 10 years old, was left behind and subsequently became sick.
PNN