Salem: Tanuvas team checks ailing temple elephant

Salem: A team of doctors from Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Science University (Tanuvas) examined the ailing temple elephant Rajeswari in Salem, following permission granted by the Madras high court for its mercy killing. The 42-year-old elephant at Sugavaneshwar temple is ailing with injuries in its leg and issues of old age. Since March 5, 2018, the elephant has been lying on ground due to weakness. Treatment has not improved its health.

Meanwhile, social activist Muralidharan submitted a petition to the high court for mercy killing of the ailing elephant. The court permitted euthanasia and sought a medical report of the elephant's condition within 48 hours. A medical team led by Professor of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine of Tanuvas, Jayathangaraj and doctors from the Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal, Vijyakumar and Kumaresan visited the temple on Wednesday and examined the elephant. Similarly, Coimbatore district forest veterinary doctor Manoharan also inspected the elephant.

S. Loganathan, joint director of animal husbandry, Salem, said, “The doctors' team checked the elephant's condition. The report by the team would be sent to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment department and officials there will take a decision on the issue.”

 Meanwhile, a team of Siddha doctors led by Thangadurai from Salem also examined the elephant. According to them, the elephant suffers from bedsores and is unable to stand due to a bone fracture in its front leg. They demanded that the court reconsider the order for euthanasia.

Local residents started to visit the elephant and offered prayers for its recovery. People said that officials failed to provide medical treatment earlier and their negligence had caused the worsening of its health. They also demanded legal action against officials responsible for this.