DERGAON, April 11 � There is serious concern among the Forest personnel and wildlife lovers of Golaghat district over the illness of the oldest departmental elephant of Kaziranga National Park, Jayadhaj.
According to sources, the oldest elephant in the park is now undergoing treatment. The doctors of the park as well as the professors of Veterinary College, Guwahati are on the job. A veterinary doctor said that the elephant has been carrying a benign tumour since a month.
Jayadhaj, which suffered from TB six years ago, was cured by the doctors of the Guwahati Veterinary College. At present the elephant is under treatment at Bhalukajan forest camp under Bagari range.
The elephant was brought to the park from Boko by the park authorities about 60 years ago and his age is estimated around 70-75 years.With a majestic body and a five-foot trunk, Jayadhaj has an imposing presence amidst the forest staff as well as other wild animals. He carried foreign and domestic tourists to the park and supplied ration in the camps, especially during floods.
As Jayadhaj has been in the park for the last 60 years, he has a sound idea about the park and could save the lives of several forest personnel during attacks by wild animals and poachers.
After the death of Gadapani, the other official elephant, in 2008, Jayadhaj had to lead processions during festivals and also perform other duties. He has been succeeded by Jayaraj, Kartik, etc., now.Due to old-age ailments, he has been released from duty and kept under medical supervision.
Nature lovers here hope that Jayadhaj would recover soon and be again captured in the cameras of tourists. It is pertinent to mention that due to lack of modern equipment for treatment of large animals like elephants in India, the doctors are at a loss.
