Jumbo injures mouth, country bomb suspected

The ‘makhna’ (male without tusks), aged around 25 to 35 years, is unable to consume food or water due to a swelling injury in its lower jaw. It also keeps salivating heavily.

A team of officials from Forest Department have started maintaining a close watch and are looking at the possibilities of reviving the jumbo. It is believed that the animal could have suffered an injury during a fight with another elephant. Officials said there is also a possibility that it could have bitten an ‘avuttukai’ (country bomb).

“Only a proper diagnosis will reveal the exact cause of the injury. The elephant has become extremely weak. Our frontline staff has placed some preferred food items like watermelon mixed with medicines like antibiotics and painkillers,” said an official. The jumbo has retreated into the forest on Saturday night and is yet to come back.

In another incident, a pregnant cow died after it bit an ‘avuttukai’ in Mettupalayam. Based on a complaint by its owner Jaffar Ali, police have registered a case.