A medical examination is under way for kumki elephant Vijay at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in the Nilgiris after the animal showed signs of ill health in recent days.
Vijay, aged 55, is a trained kumki elephant that has been deployed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other regions for operations such as driving away and capturing wild elephants. On June 4, he was brought along with another kumki, Krishna, to the Ruby Estate area near Pandalur to help chase wild elephants camping close to villages.
After several days of field work, Vijay’s health reportedly deteriorated. The reserve’s veterinarian, Dr Rajeshkumar, has been providing treatment.
To assess the condition in detail, a mobile veterinary team from the Vandalur Wildlife Forensic and Diagnostic Laboratory has visited the site and is conducting tests. Samples of dung, urine and blood have been collected for analysis to guide immediate treatment.
Officials including Gudalur Forest Officer Devaraj, Dr Rajeshkumar, Dr Neha Singh from the Vandalur lab and junior lab staff member Janakiraman are involved in the care. The medical team said Vijay is showing improvement, is eating and is able to walk normally.
