Weeks of suffering culminated in a hopeful journey for an ailing elephant named Pratima and her calf, Manik Lal. Rescued from an illegal captivity in Tripura's Unakoti district, the duo is now receiving specialised treatment at Vantara, Gujarat – an ambitious wildlife preservation project poised to become the world's largest zoo and rehabilitation centre.
The plight of Pratima and Manik Lal came to light through the intervention of Kuntala Sinha, General Secretary of the animal welfare organisation 'Go Green and Help Stray Animals'.
After getting alerted by a video shared by Animal rights activist, Punita Sharma, Sinha visited Kailashahar, Tripura, and witnessed the dire state of the elephants firsthand.
Pratima, demonstrably emaciated, bore the physical brunt of neglect – multiple abscesses marred her body, her left foreleg was swollen and unable to bear weight, and a lack of muscle mass caused a concerning arch in her spine.
Manik Lal's well-being was undeniably tied to his mother's, highlighting the crucial mother-calf bond.
Sinha, recognising the urgency of the situation, reached out to the Tripura forest and wildlife department, PETA India (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), and Maneka Gandhi, a Member of Parliament and renowned animal rights activist.
Their combined efforts, bolstered by the Tripura High Court's directive for proper medical attention, proved instrumental in securing the elephants' rescue.
Investigations by PETA revealed a blatant violation of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The man keeping Pratima and Manik Lal lacked the requisite ownership certificate, raising serious concerns about the legality and overall well-being of the animals.
A three-member team from Vantara promptly travelled to Kailashahar to assess the situation. After discussions with all stakeholders, including the previous 'owner', Pratima and Manik Lal embarked on their journey to Gujarat.
"Veterinary examination revealed the gravity of Pratima's condition," stated a PETA India press release. "Multiple injuries on her abdomen compounded the pre-existing issues. Her emaciated state and lack of muscle mass were further cause for alarm."
Khushboo Gupta, Director of Advocacy Projects at PETA India, expressed gratitude towards the forest department and the Supreme Court's high-power committee.
Their swift action, Gupta emphasised, ensured not only specialised veterinary care for Pratima but also the preservation of the vital bond between mother and calf.
Vantara's state-of-the-art elephant hospital presents a beacon of hope for Pratima and Manik Lal.
Meanwhile, environmentalists and conservationists in the region have raised questions over the transfer.
"The ideal course of action should have been to get the elephant treated locally or at the facility of the College of Veterinary Science, Assam, or at the Assam State Zoo. We have expertise to deal with such cases. The prolonged travel for a severely-ill elephant amid the heat on the highways can be fatal," a forest official said.
Echoing his concerns, a senior veterinary official said that following the interception of the elephant in Assam, it should have been allowed to recuperate under the supervision of veterinarians until it became fit enough to travel.
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