Tumudibandh: Forest officials Sunday successfully conducted operation on an injured tusker that had strayed into Nilibaru forest near Karlaghat under Baliguda forest division in Kandhamal district from Kalahandi side about five days ago.
Professor Indramani Rath along with Nandankanan Zoological Park veterinary officer Anil Kumar Dash and Dusmant Nayak conducted the operation in the presence of Baliguda divisional forest officer (DFO) V. Karthik and assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Bijay Kumar Panda.
According to reports, the forest officials spotted the pachyderm in a helpless condition five days back. An expert team from Nandankanan along with local forest officials reached the spot and found the tusker lying in a corner of the forest.
At first, they tranquilised the pachyderm and then successfully conducted operation on its left leg. The animal might have hurt its leg after being pierced by an iron rod, the team said.
The tusker was ailing for the last one month, they added. After the operation, the pachyderm was administered painkillers, antibiotics and saline drips. It might take a month to recuperate, the team said, adding the forest officials will take care of it for another 15 days.
“We are providing all necessary care and food to the elephant,” the ACF said. PNN
