KALAIGAON, Aug 31 � A wild tusker who was battling for life after getting electrocuted at Paneri tea estate was successfully treated and reunited with its herd on August 29 evening.
A team of veterinary doctors headed by noted veterinary surgeon Dr Kushal Sarma, HoD, Surgery, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Guwahati successfully treated the elephant much to the delight of animal lovers and the common people.
According to the information, the wild tusker aged about 18 was seriously injured when it came in contact with loose live electric wires at section No 7 of Paneri tea estate on August 28 night. The Forest department was informed about the incident on August 29 morning. The tusker battled hard to stand up on its own legs but in vain and was lying in the ground in a critical condition. It is alleged that the tea garden authority removed all the evidence before the arrival of the police and forest officials. The tea garden authority even pulled down the shed with the help of a JCB so as to put the blame on the animal.
Nirupam Hazarika, SDPO, Bhergaon, DN Hazarika, Circle Officer, Harisinga Revenue Circle, JK Das, honorary wildlife warden, Udalguri district inspected the site where Dr Ranjan Kumar Sarma was treating the animal with the help of police and forest personnel. The tusker was very weak and did not accept food or water. Girindra Adhikari, DFO, Dhansiri Forest Division and elephant expert Dr Kushal Sarma finally arrived at Paneri and treated the animal. After administering several doses of injections, attempts were made to make the elephant stand up with the help of a JCB. It was a touching sight to see the tusker finally moving away slowly to reunite with the herd. Later Dr Kushal Sarma told this correspondent that to treat the wild elephant in such a short time was a major success. He said that it would have been impossible to save the elephant the next day. He thanked all for saving the wild elephant.
It may be mentioned that Dr Kushal Sarma had visited various places of the district on August 26 including Bhutiachang, Hatigarh and Nonai along with the DFO, circle officer, ACF and the honorary wildlife warden of the district where man-elephant conflict has taken a serious turn. A high-level discussion was also held at the Nonai forest range office on August 26 to decide on a future action plan in this regard.