The health card system introduced by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) for temple and mutt elephants will keep track of their health throughout the year.
The system aims to ensure that the elephants undergo medical check up and get treated, whenever necessary, even after the camp. The temperament of the elephants is also recorded throughout the year.
“The main purpose of maintaining the health card is to track the health of the elephants throughout the year. Elephants brought to the annual rejuvenation camp get the best treatment and care. We want the elephants to get medical aid and attention throughout the year, which will be done based on the health card,” said T.K. Ramachandran, Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) at the inauguration of the rejuvenation camp on Friday.
All the elephants underwent medical check up before they were brought to the Thekkampatti camp. Their health status will be checked and recorded again at the end of the camp to enable follow up treatment.
Dung sample and blood smear are tested prior to the camp along with other check up.
The temperament study of each elephant records whether the animal is docile or vicious. Obedience to commands, number of commands taught, relationship with the mahout, with other elephants, musth episodes (in male elephants), attacks during musth and other details will also be recorded.