Forest Dept negligence leads to death of tusker in Kamlapur Elephant camp

A 4-year-old tusker in Kamlapur Elephant camp died due to lack of proper treatment following negligence of Forest Department. The animal was rescued on June 10 after it had got stuck into a muddy ditch and was being treated by a local veterinarian in place of an expert.

Gadchiroli (Maharashtra):A four-year-old elephant named Aditya succumbed on Monday in Kamlapur Elephant camp of Sironcha forest range due to alleged negligence of Forest Department in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli leading to outcry amid wildlife activists.

Earlier, the tusker was rescued after it had got stuck into a muddy ditch at the elephant camp on June 11. Since the last ten days, the pachyderm was being treated by a local veterinarian instead of an expert after the animal started feeling weak and was found in trauma.

Animal activist Mahesh Gundettiwar alleged that after the incident the tusker should have been treated very carefully under the observation of an expert veterinary doctor but the animal died due to laxity in administration and lack of proper treatment.

Gundettiwar has demanded a high-level inquiry into the unfortunate incident.

The Kamlapur Elephant camp was established around 50 years ago for tourism purpose and it houses almost all ages of elephants.

Activists also raised concerns over lack of mahouts in the camp for taking care of the elephants.

However, the incident has raised a question on whether the Forest Department will now fill the vacancies of mahout to avoid such tragedies in future.

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