PALAKKAD: PT-7, the rogue tusker caught by the forest department from Dhoni was released from the cage for eyesight treatment on Thursday. The elephant has gone completely blind in its right eye. Earlier, an expert team that looked after the elephant suggested surgery as the proper option to restore eyesight. However, the officials now have decided to move ahead with normal medicinal treatment.

Expert doctors led by Chief Veterinary Officer Arun Zakariah came to examine the elephant. Arun Zakariah and his team will reach Palakkad the very next day and will conduct further inspection. Albeit suggestion from an expert veterinary panel to expedite treatment, there came a delay from officials in acquiring permission to release the pachyderm from its caged state.

On January 22, the forest department caught PT 7, the rogue tusker that had terrorized human habitats in Dhoni, Mayapuram, and Mundur areas and caused damage to crops for four years. PT-7 is now housed in a specially made cage, built by the forest department. The forest department had earlier handed over the medical report of the elephant's right eye to the committee appointed by the High Court.