Shivamogga: In a major setback to the state’s wildlife conservation efforts, a 35-year-old rescued tusker, Shourya, died on Thursday morning at the Sakrebailu Elephant Camp near Shivamogga.The elephant succumbed to severe internal injuries, deep tissue necrosis and systemic exhaustion after a months-long battle with an infected leg injury. The death comes close on the heels of another elephant fatality at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu, raising concerns over healthcare protocols at state-run elephant camps.Shourya was captured on Feb 22 from the Balehonnur region of Chikkamagaluru district following a series of human-elephant conflict incidents that claimed two human lives. After being relocated to Sakrebailu, the tusker was housed in a wooden enclosure (kraal) for taming and training.According to forest officials, the agitated elephant repeatedly rammed itself against the kraal poles in attempts to break free, sustaining extensive internal and external injuries to its legs and body.Despite continuous medical intervention by veterinarians from the forest department, specialists from Shivamogga Veterinary College and expert teams from the Haathi Foundation and Wildlife SOS, the tusker’s condition steadily deteriorated. Diagnostic evaluations using digital X-rays and thermal imaging revealed severe tissue necrosis and pus accumulation on the inner side of its rear left thigh.Speaking to reporters, Shivamogga wildlife division DCF Prasanna Krishna Patgar said the elephant collapsed around 11pm on Wednesday. Emergency veterinary teams administered intravenous fluids, glucose and supportive treatment throughout the night, but the tusker died at around 8am on Thursday.Expressing anguish over the back-to-back elephant deaths, wildlife activist Joseph Hoover told TOI that officers found negligent should be suspended immediately. He demanded a high-level inquiry into the management and medical practices at both the Dubare and Sakrebailu elephant camps to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.Preliminary findings indicate that Shourya died due to toxaemia and septic shock caused by a severe bacterial infection. A formal postmortem examination is under way. With Shourya’s death, the elephant population at the Sakrebailu camp has come down to 23.PCCF (wildlife) Kumar Pushkar has ordered an inquiry into elephant deaths at Dubare and Sakrebailu camps. A report will be submitted within a week, he told TOI.
