Forest personnel and a veterinary team successfully treated a female elephant after an iron wire was found lodged in its left foreleg in the Sirumugai forest range near Coimbatore. The elephant was tracked using drones, tranquilised and treated before being released back into the forest.
Coimbatore: Forest personnel on patrol in the Pethikuttai–Uliyur reserve forest area near Sirumugai on September 2 spotted a female elephant, aged around 10 years, with an iron wire lodged in its left foreleg. The animal was found struggling because of the injury, following which senior Forest Department officials were alerted.
A rescue and treatment operation was subsequently planned under the supervision of the Coimbatore District Forest Officer. Around 60 personnel, including forest staff from the Sirumugai and Periyanaickenpalayam ranges, elephant handlers and five veterinarians from the Anamalai and Sathyamangalam forest regions, were involved in the operation.
Drones were used to track the elephant and monitor its movements inside the forest. After a suitable opportunity was identified, the veterinary team tranquillised the animal on September 6.
Once the elephant was sedated, the team safely removed the iron wire lodged in its foreleg and administered the necessary treatment. After the procedure was completed, the animal was revived from sedation.
Forest officials said the elephant was subsequently released back into the forest and was in good health. A team will continue to closely monitor the elephant over the next few weeks.
A rescue and treatment operation was subsequently planned under the supervision of the Coimbatore District Forest Officer. Around 60 personnel, including forest staff from the Sirumugai and Periyanaickenpalayam ranges, elephant handlers and five veterinarians from the Anamalai and Sathyamangalam forest regions, were involved in the operation.
Drones were used to track the elephant and monitor its movements inside the forest. After a suitable opportunity was identified, the veterinary team tranquillised the animal on September 6.
Once the elephant was sedated, the team safely removed the iron wire lodged in its foreleg and administered the necessary treatment. After the procedure was completed, the animal was revived from sedation.
Forest officials said the elephant was subsequently released back into the forest and was in good health. A team will continue to closely monitor the elephant over the next few weeks.