Jamnagar: An 18-month-old elephant calf, named Maya, has been flown nearly 1,400 km from Kerala to Gujarat for treatment.
The abandoned calf, who was paralysed after a fall at Kerala’s Abhayaranyam, will receive treatment at Vantara, the elephant sanctuary set up by Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant at Jamnagar.
While x-rays have detected multiple fractures, specialists suspect an underlying genetic disorder that may have caused the animal’s limbs to fail.
Maya’s transfer was ordered by Kerala’s chief wildlife warden P Pugazhendi on Thursday, following consultations with veterinary experts. The decision came after months of treatment and round-the-clock care by the Kerala forest department failed to improve her condition.
A team of veterinarians will assess her condition and explore further treatment options at Vantara where she will receive intensive care.
Maya was found abandoned near Kaprikkad in the Malayattoor Division on April 19, 2025, after her herd crossed a river. The newborn calf was weak, severely dehydrated and had not received her mother’s first milk, as reported by abp LIVE.
The forest department rescued her and brought her to Abhayaranyam after her mother failed to return. Forest officials arranged round-the-clock care as Maya could not feed naturally.
Assistant forest veterinary officer Binoy C Babu, forest staff and caregivers looked after her under a dedicated Health Monitoring Committee. She received continued support for various health complications during her first year.
Maya’s condition worsened on July 2, 2026, when she slipped while playing and injured her right shoulder. Despite treatment, physiotherapy and nutritional supplements, her health continued to decline.
She could no longer stand by late October and was accepting only liquid food.
On October 24, an examination conducted by Dinesh P T of the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Pookode, found multiple fractures, severe bone weakness, a chest infection and sores caused by prolonged immobility. Her prognosis was assessed as guarded to grave.
The state’s chief wildlife warden arranged a consultation with Vantara’s veterinary team on November 1, seeking further treatment options. The team reviewed Maya’s medical records, X-rays and blood reports.
A medical board meeting followed on November 4, attended by forest department officials and Padma Shri Kushal Konwar Sarma, an elephant veterinarian from Assam and veterinary advisor to Vantara.
A possible underlying condition was identified by Sarma that could respond to treatment. He recommended shifting Maya to Vantara for specialised care. Yaduraj Khadpekar, head veterinarian at Vantara’s Elephant Care Centre, supported the recommendation.
The medical board unanimously agreed to the transfer, which was ordered the following day.
According to the report, Vantara arranged the airlift equipped with life-support systems and continuous monitoring. Three elephant veterinarians, along with paravets and caregivers accompanied Maya, carrying emergency medicines and essential equipment.
Assistant forest veterinary officer Binoy C Babu and Maya’s familiar caregiver, Nikhil Babu, also accompanied her to ensure continuity of care.
Maya will receive round-the-clock veterinary attention, pain management and further diagnostic tests at Vantara. Special equipment will help the team move and position her safely, while additional therapies may be considered based on her condition.
Her progress during the treatment will be reviewed by a monitoring committee in Kerala, chaired by the Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry, Central Region.
Maya’s return to Abhayaranyam after completion of her treatment will be facilitated by Vantara. Her prognosis remains uncertain, but the transfer will give specialists an opportunity to explore further treatment options.
