(IN): Arundhati dies of natural causes, after prolonged agony

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Arundhati dies of natural causes, after prolonged agony

*Utpal

Parashar<http://www.hindustantimes.com/Search/Search.aspx?q=Utpal%20Parashar & nod\

ate=1>,

Hindustan Times

 

*

 

Nearly four weeks after falling into a marsh and sustaining multiple

fractures on her right foot, Arundhati, the 80-year-old camp elephant of

Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand died on Tuesday night of natural causes.

 

 

The animal, which was in the centre of a controversy over the state forest

department's decision to put it down by using a lethal injection, was

suffering from severe pain and had developed sores in her legs.

 

" Arundhati died after experiencing agonising pain. She could have been saved

from such misery had we been allowed to go ahead with the decision to put

her to sleep, " said Chief Wildlife Warden Srikant Chandola.

 

He, however, refused to specify the exact cause of death. The animal had

stopped eating since Monday and her condition had started deteriorating

rapidly. Chandola said Arundhati would be buried within the park.

 

After consulting several veterinarians and even taking recourse to

traditional medicine to relieve the pachyderm of her pain, Chandola passed a

mercy-killing order last Saturday.

 

But the move had to be postponed after animal rights activists protested

against the decision.

 

The forest department was also served a notice by the Uttarakhand Legal

Services Authority and a Haridwar-based lawyer filed a case in court seeking

action against forest officials for deciding to 'kill' Arundhati.

 

While the animal, which was unable to stand up and move lay suffering,

questions were raised on the authority of the state forest department to

pass an order regarding putting down an injured elephant.

 

" The decision on putting her down was taken after a panel of three experts

had okayed the move. The Wildlife Protection Act also authorises the Chief

Wildlife Warden to take such a step for animals that are disabled beyond

recovery, " said Chandola.

 

 

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