PALAKKAD: According to an expert team, the visual impairment of caged elephant PT-7 can be treated successfully. The once rogue PT-7 was caught by officials after tranquilizing it near Dhoni in Palakkad. However, one tranquilizer dart is feared to have struck the eye of the pachyderm affecting its sight. Initially, it was thought that the elephant would have to undergo surgery, but after the examination conducted by the expert team, it was assessed that the problem can be solved with medicine.

The elephant was examined by a team led by Dr. Shyam K. Venugopal, Head of Department of Surgery, at Kerala Veterinary University. At present, PT-7 suffers from cataracts in both eyes. Earlier, through proper treatment, the issue was solved. The officials opted for treatment rather than surgery as the success rate for cataract surgeries in animals often ends up giving poor results. After surgery, it is mandatory to bandage the eyes for several days. When it comes to elephants, the issue poses a serious challenge. The expert team handed over the report on the current health status of the elephant to the forest department.

It was the expert committee appointed by the High Court that found the damages in vision to the elephant's right eye. When the elephant was captured, pellets were found all over its body. It is suspected that one pellet may have hit in the eye and caused the loss of vision. The decision of the expert committee happens amidst several petitions reaching the High Court asking to release the elephant back into the wild.