THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The wild tusker tranquillized at Athirappilly has been shifted to an animal ambulance. The vehicle has set off towards Kodanad. With this, the first phase of the mission to provide treatment for the elephant was completed. The elephant collapsed to the ground after being hit with the tranquillizer. Primary treatment was then administered, and doctors applied medication to the wound on its head.

After administering antibiotics and other medicines, the elephant was lifted with the help of kumki elephants — Konni Surendran, Kunchu, and Vikram. It was then shifted to the ambulance and transported to Kodanad for further treatment.

The elephant was found and tranquillized at Athirappilly at around 7:15 a.m. It was located in the 14th block near the Vettilappara river. Before being tranquillized, the tusker had attacked another wild elephant named Ganapathi. Ganapathi was driven away by the forest authorities by firing shots into the air.

A 25-member team led by Dr. Arun Zachariah was involved in the mission. The officials were divided into five teams — tracking, supporting, darting, kumki (trained elephant support), and transportation. Traffic restrictions were imposed on the plantation road.

The injured tusker had been spotted in the plantation estate since January 15. The elephant was captured and treated on the 24th. However, after seeing that the wound had become worm-infested, it was decided to continue the treatment.