Bhubaneswar: An elephant calf died while undergoing treatment at Nandankanan Zoo, on Wednesday.
According to Sanath Kumar Narayan, Deputy Director of Nandankanan Zoo, the elephant calf was rescued from Karanjia on January 5 and brought to the zoo for treatment on January 6.
The calf was kept in a separate enclosure under the supervision of veterinarians from Nandankanan Zoo and Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT). Despite efforts to save it, the calf succumbed to its injuries on Wednesday, informed Sanath Narayan.
Aged between 5-6 years, the elephant calf had sustained severe spinal injuries after falling into a quarry. The elephant had suffered spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis of its hindquarters and inability to bear weight on its hind limbs. A team of veterinarians and experts conducted comprehensive examinations, including X-rays and blood tests, and diagnosed lumbar vertebral disc dislocation or compression as the cause of its paralysis, sources said.
Despite administering various treatments, including fluid therapy, antibiotics, and supportive care, the elephant’s condition showed no significant improvement, and it eventually passed away.
