KAZIRANGA, June 23 - A mature elephant, more than 40 years in age is struggling between life and death due to the utter negligence of its owner since the last three-four days at Panbari area near the Kaziranga National Park.
According to a source, this elephant was brought to Kaziranga from Guwahati for some work under the Kaziranga forest department here. But its condition deteriorated due to lack of proper care in terms of food and medicines including vitamins that are needed to be administered to a elephant after a day�s work. The veterinary team of CWRC under Wildlife Trust of India was informed to treat the ailing elephant but after examining the elephant, the concerned officer of Kaziranga forest was duly informed that post treatment care was must for the elephant.
Sources further went on to add that even though the elephant was released some eight days back by the veterinary doctors, the owner of this private elephant did not pay any attention to the suggestions made by the team of doctors, who advised that the elephant must be shifted to Agaratoli range camp of Kaziranga National Park for better food and medicines, but the owner did not do that. It was rather kept in a village at Panbari area with the mahout who , the sources added did not take care of the required food and medicines. Now the condition of the elephant is very bad, said the veterinary doctors, adding that elephant during its stay at Panbari village might have indirectly consumed chemical pesticides which were being used to get rid of pests in the surrounding tea gardens. The elephant is now not in a position to move around. Now question is if at the elephant was brought by Forest department for its work then why was proper care after medical treatment not provided? Will any action be taken against the owner of the elephant for his utter negligence towards the advice given by veterinary doctors? There must be action against these owners who always prefer monetary benefits at the cost of a living and healthy elephant, sources said.
