Forest Department treats wild tusker for mouth injury

Villagers in Mankarai area initially noticed the wild elephant a few days ago and urged the Forest Department to treat the animal. 

“The animal was starving as it couldn’t consume food for several days due to the wound in its mouth. Consequently, it became very weak,” said an official. 

A team of Forest Department staff examined the condition of the animal and began feeding it food mixed with medicine. 

Over the last two days, the jumbo was given rice balls and jaggery mixed with medicine.

Forest Department staff refrained from venturing near the wild tusker over fear of attack, but left the medicine mixed food along its pathway. 

The jumbo, which began consuming the food, showed gradual signs of recovery. 

Forest personnel suspect the animal may have suffered an injury in its mouth possibly after biting a country-made bomb used to kill wild boars by poachers. 

The treatment procedure was supervised by forest veterinary officer NS Manoharan.