(IN): Concerned over illness of KNP jumbo

April 12, 2010

Concerned over illness of KNP jumbo

Correspondent

DERGAON, April 11 – There is serious concern among the Forest personnel and

wildlife lovers of Golaghat district over the illness of the oldest

departmental elephant of Kaziranga National Park, Jayadhaj.

According to sources, the oldest elephant in the park is now undergoing

treatment. The doctors of the park as well as the professors of Veterinary

College, Guwahati are on the job. A veterinary doctor said that the elephant

has been carrying a benign tumour since a month.

Jayadhaj, which suffered from TB six years ago, was cured by the doctors of

the Guwahati Veterinary College. At present the elephant is under treatment

at Bhalukajan forest camp under Bagari range.

The elephant was brought to the park from Boko by the park authorities about

60 years ago and his age is estimated around 70-75 years.With a majestic

body and a five-foot trunk, Jayadhaj has an imposing presence amidst the

forest staff as well as other wild animals. He carried foreign and domestic

tourists to the park and supplied ration in the camps, especially during

floods.

As Jayadhaj has been in the park for the last 60 years, he has a sound idea

about the park and could save the lives of several forest personnel during

attacks by wild animals and poachers.

After the death of Gadapani, the other official elephant, in 2008, Jayadhaj

had to lead processions during festivals and also perform other duties. He

has been succeeded by Jayaraj, Kartik, etc., now.Due to old-age ailments, he

has been released from duty and kept under medical supervision.

Nature lovers here hope that Jayadhaj would recover soon and be again

captured in the cameras of tourists. It is pertinent to mention that due to

lack of modern equipment for treatment of large animals like elephants in

India, the doctors are at a loss.

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