Rinky`s Update ( 05/12/2006 )

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

Rinky`s condition from the ANIMAL WELFARE point is getting worse as

everyday progresses.

 

Let me highlight some good things first.

 

Wildlife Trust of India ( WTI ) has taken initiative by willing to

spend Rs. 25,000/- and have also deputed a vet, Dr. Abhijit Bhawal to

be at Rinky`s site and assist the doctors there.

 

Sangeeta Goswami, Chairperson, People for Animals along with her team

paid Rinky a visit in the morning. Dr.Abhijit has said that she has

promised Rs.10,000/- for Rinky`s treatment.

Veterinary students have been bringing bananas, buns, sugarcane etc

for the elephant from all semesters and classes.

Poornima of ARF in Bangalore called me, she is getting a mosquito net

stiched for Rinky, and shall be sending it across.

Organisations and Individuals from across the globe have been sending

prayers and messages expressing their desire of helping Rinky, but I

feel it is the medical team which is looking after, who only can

bring peace to this poor soul.

 

I met the team of the THREE vets under whom this case is being

treated. They have ordered for s sling. Once the sling is ready ( not

sure though how fast ) the vets plan to help Rinki to rise up. The

vets have also been quoted in a National Television ( Sahara TV ) as

saying that they need instruments for its treatment.

When I asked them, they said that they need a bigger X-ray machine to

determine which bones have fractured. Euthanasia or Mercy killing is

not what they are thinking of at the moment. The vets say, they hope

they can cure Rinky.

 

I was asked to go out of the campus when I dared to ask the treating

vet this question,

" Sir, how many such cases of elephant spinal concussion have you

come across, and what is the success rate of handling such cases by

you " ? This is the attitude of the vets here, ANIMAL WELFARE / RIGHTS

NOT WELCOME : this perhaps is the message which unofficially is

passed on me every time I happen to pay a visit.

 

I only wish instead of someone who has attained knowledge

on `Orphaned Elephant Management', I would have been a veterinary

doctor, to argue with them.

Surprisingly though, there seems that every issue in this country has

to go through this passage of ego, jealousy and I, ME, MYSELF

attitude, as a result of which this juvenile elephant has to suffer.

 

Dr. Kushal Konwar Sharma, the most celebrated vet, was in his

chamber. He has not been made a part of the team as yet which is

treating Rinky.

I personally requested Dr. Kushal, after calling on him a having a

long meeting with him, to look after Rinky and take the case in his

experienced hands, but he said he was helpless unless the department

entrusted him.

The Project Elephant Director, also called Dr. Kushal to enquire

about Rinki`s progress.

There is a proposal of a committee to be made to see the future

course of treatment in Rinki`s case.

 

Today, most of the news papers ( local ) and television channels

have reported on the plight of Rinky.

 

Please keep the prayers and blessings for Rinki coming, she needs our

voices, all she can do at the moment is just CRY IN PAIN

 

Regards,

 

Azam Siddiqui