Vets nurse and care for injured elephant calf in southern India

An injured elephant calf is recuperating after suffering serious injuries post getting separated from its mother in Sakalespur Taluk, of Shivamoga district in Karnataka, southern India.

An injured elephant calf is recuperating after suffering serious injuries post getting separated from its mother in Sakalespur Taluk, of Shivamoga district in Karnataka, southern India.

The locals spotted the injured calf and informed the forest officials who then took it to the vets to be treated for its injuries.

Forest Department (wildlife wing) Shivamogga Division stated that the baby elephant was born with congenital limb defects last week in the coffee estate area in Sakleshpur taluk.

It is being said that the mother elephant attempted to feed milk to it and failed as the baby male elephant could not stand on its own for two to three days.

Speaking to DH, veterinary officer Vinay, who is treating the baby elephant, said, "Although its intake of milk has improved, the survival rate is low.

At this stage, bone replacement and post-therapy are not possible so resting is the best treatment for it." "We are hopeful that it will recover from its defect in the coming months," he stated.

He admitted that it was a challenging task as the baby elephant is suffering from a neurological disorder and it has not consumed the cholesterol milk at all from its mother.

The elephant is improving and getting the treatment at the moment and has made attempts to stand on its own.

With the arrival of the baby elephant, the number of elephants rose to 23 in the Sakrebailu elephants' camp.