Theppakadu camp shut as jumbo calf dies

The death of the calf which was reportedly due to dysentery, has left the department personnel and tribals handling the jumbos in shock. This is the second elephant to die in the camp this month, reducing the number of captive elephants to 22 in 25 days. 

Sadly, both the elephants were among six rogue jumbos that were caught in Tiruvannamalai in August 2013. Three of the jumbos were brought to the camp at Theppakadu. The other three were taken to Top Slip, in Coimbatore district. On December 1, Narmadha (25) died after its health deteriorated due to diarrhoea. 

On Monday, Bharathi (9) unexpectedly died of dysentery. The little tusker was unwell from Sunday and was under treatment. This leaves six-year-old Krishna as the only survivor from ‘Operation Malai’ at this camp. While lab reports regarding the death of Narmadha was yet to come, the personnel suspect that both the deaths could be due to some acute viral infection.

Following Bharathi’s death the 22 other elephants in the camp were isolated to prevent the infection from spreading. On the recommendation of senior officials, 18 of these elephants were relocated to the Bambex camp and Bongaravayal.