With wild elephants facing threat due to poaching and shrinking habitat, K. Ashokan, wildlife veterinary surgeon at Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, said that diagnosis and providing treatment at the right time can save the animals from death.
The veterinarian, who had saved the life of over 10 wild elephants that were oin the verge of death following electric shock, gunshot and ailments, said that the animals are primitive mammals that do not adapt to extreme heat and dry conditions. “Human species continue to be a major threat to its survival,” he said and added that as the population of elephant increases steadily, there is a conflict for survival between humans and elephants. Poaching for tusks, commercial exploitation of forest area, and increasing human-animal conflict is threatening the species, said the veterinarian, who treats elephants at STR and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
He said that treating the elephant is a challenging task as the behaviour of the wild elephant could not be predicted. While the dosage of medicines has to be correct, the animal needs support when it tries to get up, said Dr. Ashokan.
Dr. Ashokan said that developing new technologies for its conservation and educating the community on the importance of conservation is essential.
