Elephant calf with bone disorder airlifted from Keralam to Vantara in Gujarat for specialised treatment

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Updated - November 06, 2026 09:18 pm IST - KOCHI

The 18-month-old elephant calf suffering from a genetic bone disorder. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

An 18-month-old elephant calf, unable to stand or walk due to a genetic bone disorder and said to have been abandoned by its herd at Kaprikkad here, was airlifted on a chartered flight to Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, for specialised treatment on Friday.

The calf, Maya, had been severely weak and dehydrated and also showed signs of respiratory infection when it was discovered on April 19 in an abandoned condition in the forest under the Malayatoor division.

Even as forest personnel waited for the calf’s mother to return, its health condition deteriorated, after which it was shifted to Abhayaranyam, an animal shelter, as directed by Chief Wildlife Warden P. Pugazhendi. This was followed by the constitution of an expert committee to monitor its health, official sources said.

After a month, it could stand independently. However, it slipped and fell while playing and sustained an injury on its right shoulder in July, when it was 15 months old. This left the animal in a condition with intense pain, and swelling of the shoulder joint, the dorsal thoracic region and the left chest. The matter was subsequently referred for urgent expert assessment.

Even as treatment was being done under the watch of the expert committee, the condition of the calf deteriorated and its skeletal health did not improve, as could be assessed from blood values and the radiographic features of the bones. Its bones turned extremely osteopenic and brittle, suggestive of congenitally defective bone formation.

The expert committee opined that a healthy recovery was doubtful, considering the congenital nature of the condition. It opined that the calf be euthanised at an early date, since it was suffering immense pain. Based on the committee’s report, the Chief Wildlife Warden discussed the matter with Kushal Konwar Sharma, a specialist elephant veterinary doctor from Assam.

Based on his advise, Manilal, a doctor from Vantara who was on an official visit to Keralam, visited Abhayaranyam and inspected the ailing calf on November 1. He suggested that a sustained hormone treatment could bring back the calf from the brink.

Based on this, Dr. Pugazhendi recommended that the suggestion be considered. The calf was subsequently transported to the international airport here in a specially arranged animal ambulance. A team of experts and the calf’s mahout accompanied it on the flight to provide any assistance if needed. Vantara would bear the expenses to transport the calf and of its treatment, official sources said.

In a release, Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) said that comprehensive arrangements were made at its domestic cargo terminal to enable the seamless transfer of the calf. Special arrangements were made at the terminal to accommodate and handle the calf in the cage, ensuring safe movement and transfer to the chartered aircraft. CIAL provided the necessary infrastructure, logistical support and operational assistance to facilitate the mission.

Veterinary examinations were conducted before the flight and during the journey to monitor Maya’s health condition. Airport director Manu G. and cargo head Satheesh J. Pai oversaw the arrangements at the domestic cargo terminal. Representatives of the Forest department, Vantara and the veterinary and support teams were also present at the cargo facility to coordinate the transfer, the release said.

Published - November 06, 2026 07:29 pm IST

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