Tusker, Codenamed PT-5, wandering near the forest edges of Velanchery in Kanjikode, Palakkad, recently. | Photo Credit: KK Mustafah
The forest authorities in the state are waiting for an expert report to take decisive measures to handle the visually handicapped Tusker Tusker Codenamed PT-5. Wild Tusker has lived in the forest edges of Palakkada since 2013, especially in Walayar Range. For years it has been attacking crops, which encourages growing challenges to move it.
The expert team led by forest veterinarian David Abraham is ready to present his report early on the basis of the best procedure to protect the visually impaired PT-5 and local communities, whose crops are often attacking the vagrant Tusker.
The chief veterinary surgeon of the forest ministry ARUN Zacharih, who examined the eyes of the PT-5 after calming the animal 8. August, said he lost his eyes in one of the eyes and the other eye was partially blind.
“Unlike people, elephants cannot have their eyes bandaged for a long time. We did what we could under the circumstances, and the one -time treatment we provided showed promising results,” Dr. Zachariah.
Although there were proposals from different corners about intensive treatment after the elephant, veterinarians were aversion to this idea.
Tusker, which is assumed to be about 30-35 years old, has shown signs of repeated injuries that could suffer during a meeting with other aggressive elephants. However, these injuries are natural according to forest officials and cannot be avoided or stopped.
“There is currently nothing to worry about the health of the PT-5 we watched,” said forestry officer Walayar Range Poeen RS
On Tuesday, the elephant was equipped with a radio collar in Pannimadai, Tamil Nadu. It still moves between areas and often passes through the boundary of kerala-tamil over the forest edge.
However, some animal lovers have taken social media to accuse Walayar’s inhabitants and forest authorities of Tusker injuries. They claimed that the elephant wound was pellet injury caused by humans. However, the forest authorities reiterated that they were caused by other elephants in the herd attacks.
“We are constantly watching Tusker. Soon after getting a message from Dr. Abraham, we will accept the best procedure,” said Mr. Poe.
Published – 9. September 2025 20:37
