[IN- Bangalore] Tusker tramples vet on break-up mission at Bannerghatta

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

Dr. Vishwanath continues to battle it out in the hospital. His family would

require every support we can provide. If anyone is interested to help him

and his family in monetary regards or otherwise can contact me on

+91-9886983082 and I can help guide you.

 

Thanks, Pablo

 

 

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071115/asp/frontpage/story_8550620.asp

 

 

Tusker tramples vet on break-up mission

ANIL BUDUR LULLA Vishwanath being felicitated at a programme to mark

Wildlife Week. (Telegraph file picture)

 

*Bangalore, Nov. 14: *A vet who volunteered to separate two tame cow

elephants from a wild herd was left paralysed after a tusker, furious at

human intrusion, chased and trampled him in a national park last week.

 

Neurosurgeons treating G.K. Vishwanath said the 56-year-old, whose spinal

cord was broken in two places, has lost all sensation below his chest and

could be wheelchair-bound for the rest of his life.

 

" It's very difficult for such patients to get back to normal. His spinal

cord has been severely injured, " Dr Satish S., a senior consultant, told *The

Telegraph*.

 

Doctors said Vishwanath may have been left a quadriplegic and may not regain

full control of his arms and legs.

 

Vishwanath, felicitated last month by the Karnataka governor for his efforts

to conserve wildlife, had volunteered to lead a team of forest officials to

separate Gayathri and Lilly from the wild herd on Saturday at Bannerghatta

National Park when the tusker charged at them.

 

While the others scampered to safety, he tripped and fell into a pit. In an

instant, the tusker was upon him.

 

After the huge beast had disappeared into the forest, Vishwanath's

colleagues rushed him to hospital, where doctors operated on his fractured

spine. " He is conscious and responds to commands. His vital parameters are

stable, but there is no sensation below the chest and such a condition

cannot be repaired, " Dr Satish said.

 

Doctors said Vishwanath already had a weakened spine as he had undergone

surgery for cervical spondylitis 15 years ago.

 

Earlier this year, in August, a wild tusker had raided a circus in Bengal

and eloped with a trained cow. It took forest officials nearly a week to

cajole her back.

 

At Bannerghatta, on Bangalore's outskirts, park officials have been letting

tame elephants loose in the adjoining forests to graze. " They normally come

back, except when the males are in *mast*, " said a park official, referring

to the period when tuskers are sexually active.

 

" Tuskers don't like intrusions when they are in the company of females. That

is probably why they attacked our team, " the official added.

 

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