Injured Jumbo Calf Who Lost Her Mother Is Taking Baby Steps To New Life In India's First Elephant Hospital
The elephant calf, now fondly called ¡°Bani¡± meaning mother Earth, was orphaned in December when her mother was killed by a speeding train while crossing a railway track in Haldwani near the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. The impact of the collision also left the 9-10-month-old elephant calf who was thrown off the tracks and landed in a field below, injured on her spine and hip joints.
A baby elephant that lost its mother in a train collision that also left her injured is getting a new lease of life in India's first elephant hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura.
The elephant calf, now fondly called ¡°Bani¡± meaning mother Earth, was orphaned in December when her mother was killed by a speeding train while crossing a railway track in Haldwani near the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
WILDLIFE SOS
Elephant calf orphaned, injured after train hit
The impact of the collision also left the 9-10-month-old elephant calf who was thrown off the tracks and landed in a field below, injured on her spine and hip joints.
After initially taking care of the injured calf, the Uttarakhand Forest Department sought the help of NGO Wildlife SOS, which transferred her to their Elephant Hospital in Mathura for urgent critical care.
WILDLIFE SOS
Bani's recovering
Under the care of the veteran experts of Wildlife SOS, the calf -- Bani is making remarkable progress.
¡°There is an infected wound in the baby elephant¡¯s groin area, which is being treated presently. We are glad to see her front legs moving well. Initially, we suspected a spinal injury, but the movement in her tail, digestion and normal body functions indicates that her body is responding to treatment,¡± Dr. Ilayaraja S, Deputy Director of Veterinary Services, Wildlife SOS said.
WILDLIFE SOS
Massage, physiotherapy for injured calf
Veterinary doctors who are treating Bani with physiotherapy and more have also been able to make her stand up, still supported by a sling.
"She is cleaned and massaged each day and her wounds are dressed to prevent infections. Additionally, laser therapy and physiotherapy to exercise her joints are provided," Baiju Raj MV, Director of Conservation Projects at Wildlife SOS said.
WILDLIFE SOS
Elephant deaths on railway tracks
Train hits, along with electrocution are the biggest cause of unnatural elephant deaths in India.
As per official data, nearly 200 elephants were killed in train collisions between 2010 and 2020, bringing the average to about 20 elephants each year.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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