August 14, 2013: Parthasarathy, a 43-year-old temple elephant belonging to the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) at the Sree Parthasarathy Temple at Aranmula, is in a bad state of health.

The grossly improper upkeep of the pachyderm is said to be the reason. The incident surfaces when a strict direction has been issued by TDB Commissioner P. Venugopal for the proper maintenance of all temple elephants attached to the Board.

Parthasarathy was found lying on the ground in unhygienic surroundings on Tuesday morning. Local people then apprised the Devaswom officials of the poor health condition of the animal.

A villager told The Hindu that the elephant was writhing in pain with its mouth wide open. C. Gopakumar, consultant veterinary surgeon of the Board, reached the spot in an hour and started treating the animal.

Speaking to The Hindu , Dr. Gopakumar said the elephant was suffering from gastric problem as well as chronic lung ailment. Its condition was very bad with intestinal infection and colon impaction.

Essential amino acids and antibiotics were administered to the pachyderm in the forenoon itself and its condition was out of danger now, he added.

Long-term care

Dr. Gopakumar also advised the Board officials to shift the elephant to a hygienic place and provide long-term special care and treatment to improve its general health condition. The elephant was shifted to a courtyard near the Sree Parthasarathy Temple, later, in the afternoon.

The Temple Advisory Committee (TAC) at the Sree Parthasarathy Temple called upon the Devaswom authorities to take immediate steps to ensure proper upkeep of the temple elephant.

The TAC called for constructing a properly designed special elephant shed at Aranmula.

Parthasarathy was in the news three months ago when it was tethered to a coconut palm in a pitiable condition at Aranmula owing to the absence of mahouts to take care of the animal.

Elephant-lovers here alleged gross violation of the existing rules by the mahouts, elephant owners, and their contractors, ultimately leading to over-exploitation of the animals.

According to them, the State housed as many as 650 captive elephants and a majority of them were attached to various temples.

SOURCE: The Hindu, DT. August 14, 2013.