A two-and-a-half year old elephant calf named ‘Ranga’ by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa over a year ago, is awaiting medical care ever since he injured his front legs five days ago.
Although the calf in Mudumalai sanctuary is out of danger, sources said if treatment is further delayed it could complicate matters.
After learning about his condition, an animal welfare group reportedly sent a mobile X-ray unit and medical unit to tend to Ranga.
“But the units have not been allowed to reach Ranga because a wildlife veterinarian had not reached Mudumalai till Thursday night,” a source alleged.
“The elephant was brought as a 10-day old orphaned calf from Sirumugai 30 months ago and christened by the chief minister after the presiding deity of Srirangam.
He has been injured for five days now and no proper medical attention has been given yet.
In fact, the wildlife department started informing certain NGOs only after activists belonging to a voluntary group arranged for medical treatment,” claimed the source.
When approached forest department officials were unavailable for comment till late Thursday evening.