A joint rescue operation led by the Indian Army, NGO Wildlife SOS (WSOS) and the Karnataka forest department, has helped Sidda, the ailing elephant, move into a specially designed structure where veterinarians can provide long term treatment to him.
On August 30, Sidda had fallen into a ditch and suffered injuries to his leg and shoulder while being chased by villagers in Dodderi on the outskirts of Bengaluru. While he was tranquilised and given treatment for injuries, a month later, on October 26, the 35-year-old pachyderm fell into the Manchanabele Dam.
This time he suffered serious injuries including a fractured foreleg. Although the wild tusker had then painfully extracted himself out of the water, he later collapsed.
Sidda was continuously recumbent for over two weeks. While WSOS and the forest department were working towards providing proper treatment to Sidda, the Indian Army- Madras Sappers Division (MEG Bangalore)- recently stepped in to provide support to the ongoing operations.
Early morning on Thursday, the team finally created a kraal, a structure like a cage, to help Sidda stand up. The severely injured elephant was gently eased into the giant improvised structure.
Dr Arun A. Sha, Wildlife SOS Veterinary and Research Director, said, “Sidda has been successfully shifted into the support structure. We have placed harness belts around his injured leg and torso to keep him in an upright position to prevent his organs from collapsing.”
Due to the fracture, the elephant has been down on his side (and recumbent) for over two weeks. He has been now kept under observation to monitor his vitals. “We are very worried what implications that will have for his recovery. That has also resulted in bedsores on his left flank which requires immediate treatment. We are doing our best and praying for a miracle”, he added.
The elephant may require several months of combined intensive medical and veterinary treatment for complete recovery. Local farmers, villagers, who reportedly are at odds with wild elephants, were deeply moved at the sight of the downed mammal which was injured and suffering from excruciating pain. They have even been bringing Sidda fruits and balls of ragi from their meagre resources for his good health, according to WSOS.