(IN): Killer Indian Railways at play again

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Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080425/jsp/northeast/story_9183232.jsp

 

*Hit by train, jumbo trapped in pit*

- Rescuers fear mercy killing may be the only way out OUR BUREAU

 

Guwahati/Diphu, April 24: The agonised cry of a female elephant pierces the

forest air from time to time. But for the rescuers gathered around a swampy

pit in a remote area of Assam's Dhansiri reserve forest, hope is ebbing

away.

 

As forest officials and experts race against time to save the injured

elephant — which has been trapped in the pit from Sunday night — the last

resort now seems to be " mercy killing " .

 

The 22-year-old elephant fell into the pit from a height of about 30 feet

and dislocated its hip joint.

 

Karbi Anglong divisional forest officer (west division) Sushil Kumar Daila

said the elephant may have been hit by a train while crossing the tracks

that run along a ridge overlooking the pit in remote Daldali. " The elephant

was severely injured after the fall, " he added.

 

However, the forest department could launch the rescue operation only

yesterday — that too late in the day — after being informed by villagers.

 

Daila said they had tried to pull the elephant out of the pit, but shelved

the operation after experts from the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and

Conservation in Kaziranga suggested that it might aggravate its injuries.

 

Centre in-charge Anjan Talukdar, who led a group of experts to examine the

elephant, said physical examination was difficult, as the animal was half

submerged in mud.

 

" Nothing can be done as the animal is stuck in the pit and any type of

external force to pull it out will only aggravate its injury, " he added.

 

Daila said the only good news was that the elephant had started taking food

since this morning. " We gave the elephant bananas and it is eating. We are

doing everything possible to save it. "

 

The Kaziranga team had injected a few doses of sedatives yesterday to

relieve the elephant of its pain. Daila said his department had informed the

chief conservator of forest, M.C. Malakar, and also sought advice from

experts at the College of Veterinary Sciences, Khanapara.

 

He said a team of experts from Khanapara would visit the site tomorrow and

the forest department would work on its advice.

 

" We might have to take the ultimate decision to go for mercy killing to

relieve the elephant of its pain, " he added.

 

 

 

 

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