RANCHI: A wild elephant was injured in an IED blast allegedly planted by Maoists in Saranda jungles of Chaibasa.
According to forest officials, the explosion was so powerful that the elephant's right front toes were blown off, leaving pieces of flesh hanging from the wound. Following the incident, both the forest department and police have been alerted in the area.
“The wound on its front right limb appears to be fresh as it was found in the other three elephants which earlier succumbed to their injuries following IED blasts. We received information at the midnight about it, which is currently under treatment,” said Saranda Divisional Forest Officer Aviroop Sinha.
The elephant was first spotted in the Ankua jungles in Saranda forests, he added.
The DFO informed that it is yet to be confirmed whether the elephant got injured by an IED blast or not, but prima facie it appears that the injured has been caused by the IED blast looking at the pattern of the wounds. The blood loss, however, is less that the other three elephants which got injured in the IED blasts earlier, he said.
“Meanwhile, mobile veterinary unit has been roped in for the treatment and support from trained veterinary officers. Three additional teams of veterinary officers from the adjoining blocks have also been called in,” said the DFO.
A team from Vantara is also coming to treat the elephant, he said.
According to the DFO, since there is no movement of Maoists in Ankua jungles of Saranda, it is a matter of concern that how did this elephant was hit by an IED. There is also a possibility that it was hit by an IED somewhere else and reached in these jungles wandering in pain, he said.
The veterinarian attending to the elephant, Dr Sanjay Kumar, stated that the elephant has been given antibiotics, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication. The injury is deep and appears to be the result of a massive explosion, he said.
Dr Kumar informed that the team is attempting to move the elephant to a safe location where it can receive better and continuous treatment.
“The injured elephant is a female approximately 10 to 12 years old. Due to the severe injury, she is unable to walk. Forest department personnel are constantly monitoring her and making every effort to ensure her speedy recovery,” said Dr Kumar.
This incident has raised deep concern among forest officials, as the area is already dangerous for elephants due to Maoist activities and IED explosions.
This is fourth such elephant which has been hit by an IED blast in Saranda, as the three others which got injured succumbed to their injuries. Two of them died during treatment while another one found died in the jungles.