RINKY UPDATE: ASSAM TRIBUNE REPORT

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http://www.assamtribune.com/ [image: The Assam Tribune online]

*Guwahati, Wednesday, December 6, 2006*

*CITY*

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*Wounded jumbo calf treated with love and care

*By A Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Dec 5 – Rinky, the 19-month-old baby elephant that was brought to

the College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University (AAU),

Khanapara, after it was struck by a speeding mini bus in Nagaon on November

28, is undergoing treatment at the AAU campus.

 

A doctor attending to Rinky said that the elephant suffered serious injuries

on the spinal cord on the backside. " Although no X-ray has been done, it is

most likely to be a case of fracture or dislocation of joints. We are

keeping it under medicinal treatment and the pain seems to have subsided a

lot, " he said, adding that a lift structure with a pulley would have to be

built for further treatment of the elephant.

 

It was apparent that the veterinary college lacked the necessary

infrastructure to treat the elephant in the desired manner. " While we

regularly treat animals like cow, goat, etc., such cases are rare and

difficult to handle. Treating even a baby elephant like Rinky, which weighs

some 1,200 kg, is quite difficult, as we have to work under a lot of

limitations, " a college official said. " Animals have great powers of

endurance and can recover quickly with even a little medicinal support. The

good sign is that Rinky is responding to the treatment, and we sincerely

believe that she would be able to stand up and walk soon, " he said.

 

Till that happens, however, Rinky is relegated to a half-paralysed life over

a heap of straw. While she lies sideways most of the time, occasionally she

is pushed into a sitting position by those attending to her, generally for

feeding and drinking purposes. However, she manages to help herself to food

offered by people even while lying on her side.

 

The restrictions in her movements have resulted in the baby elephant

developing sores on her body. " Sores are not uncommon when an ailing animal

is unable to move. We only hope that she does not develop other serious

complications during treatment, which sometimes happens, " Narayan Mahanta,

DFO, Assam State Zoo, who visited Rinky today, said.

 

The ailing Rinky has already emerged as the cynosure of eyes of the students

of the veterinary college. Groups of students could be seen circling around

Rinky, caressing and feeding her with their hands. Some of the students were

giving her company for long hours. " We have developed a bond with Rinky and

are eager to keep her company as long as possible, " a student said.

 

Md Habibur Rahman Laskar, the owner of Rinky, has also been with Rinky for

the past few days. " Rinky was struck twice by the bus, after which the

driver fled, " he said. The accident took place in Nagaon on November 28. She

was brought to the veterinary college on November 30.

 

Meanwhile, the People for Animals today donated Rs 10,000 for the treatment

of Rinky. The organisation has also arranged for some straw, food and a

tirpal.