Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Karnataka has created history by saving life of an electrocuted wild elephant’s life and returning him to the forest. Conservator of Forests & Field Director (Bandipur Tiger Reserve) Dr. Ramesh Kumar P shared all the details of the incident with Indian Masterminds.
THE SHOCK
The female elephant got electrocuted in a coconut farm barely 40 meter from the boundary of Bargi beat in Omkar Range of Bandipur Tiger Reserve on February 14, supposedly Valentine’s Day. A villager messaged forest officials about it. Dr Ramesh immediately rushed a team of forest officials with a veterinary doctor rushed to the spot.
They found elephant was gasping for life. Due to electric shock, she got severely dehydrated and was shivering. She had lost consciousness. The team removed the electric wires entangled around her leg and started the treatment.
THE RESUSCITATION
The Vet examined the elephant and gave her rectal and IV fluids (dextrose and saline) along administered Multivitamins
Nervine tonic injections (electrolyte and phosphorus
Combination).
He also gave her painkillers. The elephant regained full consciousness after 4 to 5 hours of treatment. But the electric shock sucked her entire strength. It was therefore, unable to even get up of its own let alone walk.
BACK ON FEET
Dr. Ramesh who was guiding and supervising the entire operarion says, “ Since she could not get up on her feet, we got a JCB and helped the elephant get up from the ground.” After struggling initially, she got up and walked towards forest side and entered into the tiger reserve.
HISTORY CREATED
This is first time in history that an electrocuted elephant was saved due to timely treatment in BTR. “I was with the team and carried out the operations. Quick Response helped us to save the elephant. Right treatment too was critical element in saving the pachyderm’s life.”
While the frontline staffs are closely monitoring the elephant a case has been booked against the person who illegally had wire fenced his coconut farm with live electric wire.
SHOCK EFFECT
An electrical shock may cause burns though sometimes it may leave no visible mark on the skin. An electrical current passing through the body can cause lot of internal damage like a cardiac arrest.
Animals are much more sensitive to electric shock than human beings. Low voltages, of even 20 volts, are dangerous for cattle and horses. Injuries due to electric shock in animals often occur accidentally. According to a data compiled by the NGO, Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), approximately 1,300 wild animals had been electrocuted across India due to deliberate and accidental electrocution between 2010 and 2020.
