Elephant calf facing euthanasia flown to Vantara; Anant Ambani to bear treatment expenses; Maya airlifted from Kochi to Mumbai

KOCHI: Anant Ambani, son of Mukesh Ambani, has intervened to save the life of an elephant calf suffering from a severe genetic disorder and facing euthanasia. Maya, an 18-month-old calf at Abhayaranyam in Kaprikad, Perumbavoor, was flown from Kochi to Mumbai in a chartered aircraft. She has been admitted to the ICU at Vantara, Anant Ambani's animal rescue centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Gene therapy and hormone therapy are among the treatment options offering hope for her recovery.

Maya first developed problems with her legs after falling while playing on July 2. Her front leg bones were fractured, and she became bedridden towards the end of last month. Hopes of recovery faded after the condition was diagnosed as a genetic disorder. During an examination on October 24, Dr P.T. Dinesh of Pookode Veterinary College found bone deterioration, a chest infection and sores developing on her body. A medical board subsequently recommended euthanasia. As a last resort, senior Forest Department officials sought the help of Dr Kushal Konwar Sharma, an elephant treatment specialist at Vantara. Following an online consultation, it was decided to shift Maya to the facility. An order in this regard was issued on Thursday.

Special bed arranged for air travel

Transporting Maya by air required extensive preparations. A special bed was constructed, and she was placed on it before being lifted using a forklift and loaded onto a lorry. The aircraft departed at 12.30 p.m. and reached Mumbai airport at 2.30 p.m. A team of doctors from Vantara accompanied her during the journey. From the airport, she was taken to Vantara in an ambulance. Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer Dr Binoy C. Babu and Nikhil Babu, one of Maya's mahouts, had reached Mumbai earlier that morning. If the treatment is successful, Maya will be brought back.

Facilities available at Vantara

• ICU and round-the-clock monitoring
• Measures to relieve pain
• Advanced diagnostic facilities
• Hydraulic systems
• Hydrotherapy facilities

Vantara will bear the entire cost of Maya's treatment. A committee led by the Conservator of Forests, Central Region, will review the progress of her treatment. Maya's mahout will remain with her throughout.

Dr P. Pugazhenthi

Chief Wildlife Warden