Thiruvananthapuram: Kingini, the one-year-old female elephant calf which was washed ashore at Karulai in Nilambur forest during the floods and landslides in August, has fallen sick. Its haemoglobin and protein levels have come down and it is being treated by veterinarians at the Kottur elephant rehabilitation centre here, where she is quarantined.
Kingini was brought to Kottur on August 24 and is under the care of two handlers and veterinary doctors, Dr. Anand R. Krishnan, assistant forest veterinary officer, Kottur, and T. Rajeev, veterinary surgeon of the multi- specialty veterinary hospital, Kudapanakunnu. It takes more than six months for baby elephants to eat food (grass) on their own as they drink their mother's milk for four years. Dr. E. K. Easwaran, chief forest veterinary officer, told DC that Kingini was looking tired from Tuesday.
"However, she drank milk on Thursday afternoon. Her blood results have ruled out herpes," he said.
Kingini is also being given minerals and vitamin supplements. Her heart and respiratory rates are stable and she responds to calls. Doctors hope she will recover soon as she is on antibiotics diet.
