Expert team to suggest way forward for visually impaired PT-5

Forest authorities in the State are awaiting the report of an expert team to take a decisive action on the treatment of a visually impaired vagrant tusker codenamed PT-5. The wild tusker has been living in the forest fringes of Palakkad, especially in Walayar range, since 2013. For years, it has been raiding crops, prompting growing calls for its relocation.

The expert team headed by forest veterinarian David Abraham is set to submit its report soon outlining the best course of action to safeguard the visually impaired PT-5 as well as the local communities whose crops are frequently raided by the vagrant tusker.

Forest Department’s chief veterinary surgeon Arun Zachariah, who examined PT-5’s eyes after tranquilising the animal on August 8, said that it had lost sight in one of its eyes, and the other eye was partially blind.

“Unlike humans, elephants cannot have their eyes bandaged for extended periods. We did the best we could under the circumstances, and the one-time treatment we have provided has shown promising results,” said Dr. Zachariah.

Although there were suggestions from different corners about giving intensive treatment after capturing the elephant, veterinarians have been averse to the idea.

The tusker, presumed to be around 30-35 years old, has shown signs of repeated injuries possibly sustained during encounters with other aggressive elephants. But those injuries, according to forest officials, are natural and cannot be avoided or stopped.

“At present there is nothing to worry about the health of PT-5, whose movements we have been monitoring,” said Walayar Range Forest Officer Praveen R.S.

The elephant fitted with a radio collar was spotted in Pannimadai, Tamil Nadu, on Tuesday. It continues to move between areas, often traversing the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border through forest outskirts.

However, some animal lovers took to social media to accuse the Walayar residents and forest authorities of injuring the tusker. They claimed the elephant’s wounds were pellet injuries caused by humans. But forest authorities reiterated that they were inflicted by other elephants in herd attacks.

“We are constantly monitoring the tusker. We will adopt the best course of action soon after getting the report from Dr. Abraham,” said Mr. Praveen.