OUAT Team Treats Injured Tusker Found In Odisha Forest

Baripada: A team of veterinary surgeons from the Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT) on Sunday performed a surgery during the treatment of an ailing tusker found in a forest in Mayurbhanj district.

The OUAT team from Bhubaneswar swung into action after the injured tusker was found in Masinakathi under Betanoti forest range of Mayurbhanj. The tusker was stated to be in a stable condition after a long surgery.

According to sources, the animal became a victim of the poacher after it fell into the trap set for boars. After the animal was rescued, a deep injury was noticed in its leg and a plastic wire had got tied around its wound.

The operation was conducted by a team headed by Dr Indramani Nath of OUAT after tranquilising the elephant. More than 50 officials including DFO, OUAT team members and Similipal Sanctuary’s medical team as well as members of Baripada Wildlife Division were present during the surgery. The Wildlife Rescue Team also assisted in the operation.

The villagers have alleged that their repeated requests to wildlife officials to rescue and treat the ailing tusker went unheeded for a long time. However, when the animal collapsed near a tree, the officials responded.