With the rehabilitation of Masini, the Samayapuram temple elephant, imminent, forest department has requested the Chief Wildlife Warden to post a veterinary officer permanently in the Theppakadu Elephant Camp.
The elephant was three years old when she was brought to the Theppakadu camp, after being abandoned by her mother and herd. In 2016, she was gifted to the Samayapuram temple by the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.
Officials from the department said there were already 22 captive elephants at the Theppakadu camp in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). With the arrival of Masini, which is said to be suffering from ailments related to its care and treatment in Samayapuram, the presence of a veterinary officer becomes much more necessary, they said.
“We will obey the High Court’s order and steps are being taken to bring the animal back to Theppakadu by December 20, which is the time-frame set by the court,” said the official, adding that the behaviour of the elephant would be monitored to ensure that the lives of mahouts were not put to risk. “We already have some of the best mahouts, so we will watch how its behaviour changes around other elephants, and then train the animal as necessary,” the official said.
Masini, which is currently being treated at the Orathanadu Veterinary Research Institute near Thanjavur, is said to be recovering from an illness. Officials said the elephant would be returned to Theppakadu only after it had been deemed to be completely fit for travel.
Deputy Director of MTR (Core Zone) S. Senbagapriya said orders were yet to be received on any specific work to house and rehabilitate Masini. “Once the elephant arrives, we will monitor its behaviour,” she said.