Kerala: Tusker Murivalan battles for life after fight with Chakkakomban
The New Indian Express
September 1, 2024
See link
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Sep/01/kerala-tusker-murivalan-battles-for-life-after-fight-with-chakkakomban
for photo.
KOCHI: Murivalan, one of the two tuskers that have been raiding the
villages of Anayirangal and Chinnakanal in Idukki district, is struggling
to survive after a fight with Chakkakomban, the dominant male elephant of
the area. Murivalan, which was brutally gored by Chakkakomban, sustained
around 15 injuries on its body, with one being deep.
On Friday, the elephant collapsed in the 60 Acre Shola forest area,
following which forest officials brought a doctor who administered
antibiotics.
Minister A K Saseendran said three veterinarians -- Dr Arun Zachariah, Dr
Sibi and Dr Anuraj -- have been deputed to provide medical aid to the
elephant. But forest officials said the chances of the elephant surviving
are grim as the wounds have developed infection, with pus oozing out of the
wounds.
“The two tuskers engaged in a fight near Singukandam area on July 21. It
was a fierce battle that lasted for four days. There were wounds all over
the body of Murivalan and he was bleeding profusely. The elephant was very
weak and he trudged his way through Montfort School to Gundumala and
finally reached the 60 Acre area, where he collapsed. The animal is very
weak and may not survive,” said Sabu, a resident of Chinnakanal.
“The tusk of Chakkakomban has pierced deep and one of the injuries is very
big. A rapid response team has been monitoring the elephant for the past
one week and we brought a doctor on Friday after the elephant collapsed.
The left hind leg of the elephant has paralysed and we suspect nerve injury
or fracture. The animal is unable to take food and we have been giving
water and glucose. We have started antibiotics, but the condition of the
elephant is serious and it is not able to consume food,” said Devikulam
range officer P V Vegi.
‘Chakkakomban is Young & Stronger’
Though many herds enter the human habitations of Anayirangal and
Chinnakanal, Chakkakomban has been the dominating male elephant of the area
since the translocation of Arikomban from the area around 16 months ago.
“Both elephants are dangerous and have attacked local residents many times.
But Chakkakomban is the dominant elephant of the area. Murivalan is around
50-years-old while Chakkakomban is young and stronger,” said Sabu.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Sep/01/kerala-tusker-murivalan-battles-for-life-after-fight-with-chakkakomban
Kerala: Tusker Murivalan battles for life after fight with Chakkakomban
The New Indian Express
September 1, 2024
See link
<https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Sep/01/kerala-tusker-murivalan-battles-for-life-after-fight-with-chakkakomban>
for photo.
KOCHI: Murivalan, one of the two tuskers that have been raiding the
villages of Anayirangal and Chinnakanal in Idukki district, is struggling
to survive after a fight with Chakkakomban, the dominant male elephant of
the area. Murivalan, which was brutally gored by Chakkakomban, sustained
around 15 injuries on its body, with one being deep.
On Friday, the elephant collapsed in the 60 Acre Shola forest area,
following which forest officials brought a doctor who administered
antibiotics.
Minister A K Saseendran said three veterinarians -- Dr Arun Zachariah, Dr
Sibi and Dr Anuraj -- have been deputed to provide medical aid to the
elephant. But forest officials said the chances of the elephant surviving
are grim as the wounds have developed infection, with pus oozing out of the
wounds.
“The two tuskers engaged in a fight near Singukandam area on July 21. It
was a fierce battle that lasted for four days. There were wounds all over
the body of Murivalan and he was bleeding profusely. The elephant was very
weak and he trudged his way through Montfort School to Gundumala and
finally reached the 60 Acre area, where he collapsed. The animal is very
weak and may not survive,” said Sabu, a resident of Chinnakanal.
“The tusk of Chakkakomban has pierced deep and one of the injuries is very
big. A rapid response team has been monitoring the elephant for the past
one week and we brought a doctor on Friday after the elephant collapsed.
The left hind leg of the elephant has paralysed and we suspect nerve injury
or fracture. The animal is unable to take food and we have been giving
water and glucose. We have started antibiotics, but the condition of the
elephant is serious and it is not able to consume food,” said Devikulam
range officer P V Vegi.
‘Chakkakomban is Young & Stronger’
Though many herds enter the human habitations of Anayirangal and
Chinnakanal, Chakkakomban has been the dominating male elephant of the area
since the translocation of Arikomban from the area around 16 months ago.
“Both elephants are dangerous and have attacked local residents many times.
But Chakkakomban is the dominant elephant of the area. Murivalan is around
50-years-old while Chakkakomban is young and stronger,” said Sabu.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Sep/01/kerala-tusker-murivalan-battles-for-life-after-fight-with-chakkakomban