Elephant died........... overdose of tranquiliser???

The state has lost an elephant as a result of mindless policies of state forest department and irresponsible implementing officials. The incident took place on January 12 at Savantvadi.

Lack of experience on part of forest department officials to tranquilise animals once again proved fatal for a 35-year-old female elephant. The state forest department, as a part of the drive to relieve people of Savantvadi and adjoining villages of the elephant maniac, decided to tame wild elephants and domesticate them.

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) B Majumdar has ruled out any suspicion in the death. “The animal died much after being tranquilised and such cases are common in the wild,” Majumdar said.

It is claimed that officials concerned were given proper training to tranquilise the animal and tame it. Even an elephant expert from Assam was called in to train state forest department officials. However, the animal died within 24 hours of tranquilising.

According to sources, a team of forest department led by divisional forest officer Naresh Zurmure went on the mission to tranquilise the female elephant on Saturday morning and after searching for some time, fired tranquiliser at the animal. When the animal fell down in afternoon, it was dragged to an open space with the help of domesticated elephants. After reaching the spot around a km away, the elephant was chained there.

Though the animal was stable initially, its condition deteriorated on Sunday. Sources said that hypovolumic shock resulting out of stress for being in captivity led to the death of the animal. However, actual cause of death could only be ascertained after the viscera report expected next week, sources said.

When contacted, state forest minister Babanrao Pachpute said, “Any conclusion in the matter could be drawn only after thorough inquiry into the matter which would begin soon.” The DFO Naresh Zurmure refused to comment on the issue claiming to be busy in meeting.