(NP): 31 elephants in parks have TB: Report

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*31 elephants in parks have TB: Report*

 

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*CHANDNI HAMAL*

CHITWAN, May 14: While 31 elephants in Nepal are infected with TB, only 19

are receiving treatment. According to the Chitwan National Park, there is a

possibility that more elephants could contract the disease as many infected

elephants have not received any treatment.

 

Information released by the Department of Wildlife states that there are

more than 200 elephants in Nepal. These elephants are either conserved by

the state or are privately-owned. The TB-infected elephants owned privately

by hotels in Sauraha are not receiving treatment in the lack of appropriate

funds on the part of the hotels.

 

Dr Jeevan Thapa, a veterinarian treating the elephants says that it is

impossible to control the spread of the disease unless all elephants are

treated. Hoteliers in Sauraha say they are willing to treat the elephants

only if they receive aid. Another vet, Dr Kamal Gaire, says talks to this

effect with the hoteliers are under way and treatment for elephants is to

begin mid-June with the help of donor agencies.

At present 10 elephants owned by various hotels inside the Chitwan National

Park , 6 government-owned elephants in the National Park, 3 in the National

Nature Conservation Trust, 2 in Bardiya National Park, 1 in Suklaphanta

Wildlife Reserve, 1 in Parsa Wildlife Reserve and 8 elephants owned by

hoteliers of Sauraha have TB.

 

Among those infected, 19 are being treated and have been kept separately at

the Chitwan National Park. Those treating the elephants say the animals´

condition is improving. Doctors say that the treatment of each elephant

costs Rs 300,000. Even the Chitwan National Park citing lack of funds hadn´t

treated the elephants for over a year even though they were diagnosed with

TB. The treatment for elephants at the Chitwan National Park has been

possible with aid from Elephant Care International, a US organization. Two

doctors from the Agriculture Campus, one from the Chitwan National Park, and

two other technicians are involved in the treatment.

 

The disease was diagnosed in 2001 but it spread among many elephants since

treatment procedures were not introduced on time.

 

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