Bamra: An ailing male elephant has been battling for life since the past 15 days at Bamra forest division in Sambalpur district, reports said.
The elephant is unable to move around for food as it is old age and has grown feeble. Forest department officials are keeping an eye on the pachyderm and providing the animal with necessary food and water. Forest officials assume that the animal is aged around 60-65 years.
Monday afternoon, when the animal strayed into Jharsuguda forest division near the Sambalpur border, locals thronged the forest to get a glance of the animal.
Preliminary reports said the pachyderm had developed a wound on both of its legs and is unable to move around in the forest in search of food. Moreover, it has been left alone after being stranded by its herd.
While the right leg of the pachyderm seems to be paralysed, the left leg has a wound. Forest department officials believe the animal has been affected by polio. They are afraid to go near the animal and provide it the necessary treatment as they think it might attack them.
Forest guards have been engaged to keep a watch on the movement of the animal. They are trying to provide food like jackfruits, coconuts and water for the animals. Even locals are providing foods to the animal.
While the pachyderm was seen wandering around in Sambalpur forest division for the past few day, it has strayed into the Jharsuguda forest division Monday.
Meanwhile, the locals have demanded that a veterinary team visits the forest and arrange for the treatment of the ailing pachyderm.
“The animal has been wandering around since the last 15 days. It has become weak as it did not get food and water for a prolonged period. If necessary treatment is not provided soon, the animal might die. Hence, it is important that the forest officials arrange for its treatment immediately,” a local said.
When contacted, DFO Susant Kumar said he would visit the forest and take stock of the pachyderm’s health condition and arrange for necessary treatment facilities.
