Jumbo Puthupally Sadhu returns to life with Vantara’s treatment

Kottayam: A team of veterinarians from the Vantara Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Gujarat has successfully revived the elephant ‘Puthupally Sadhu’ from the brink of death.

The 55-year-old elephant became the first beneficiary of a free rescue mission by Vantara, the country’s largest wildlife rehabilitation facility jointly operated by Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation.

Dr Vaishak Viswam, veterinary consultant of the Vantara Rapid Response Team, and his team discovered a massive 32-kilogram lump in Sadhu’s stomach. The elephant, which had not eaten for over a month and was in critical condition, began feeding again yesterday.

The jumbo's owner, Pothan Varghese of Pappalaparambil in Vakathanam, contacted Vantara through the Forest Department. The team arrived on the night of August 15. The elephant was diagnosed with elephantiasis along with stroke-like symptoms in the intestine.

The elephant was severely dehydrated, and the movement of food from the food pipe to the stomach was found to be minimal. A colonoscopy revealed a fibrous mass lodged in the stomach.

While part of the lump was removed by the medical team, the remaining portion was naturally discharged by the elephant after nine days. Following this, Sadhu began drinking water. Its health was restored by administering 490 litres of liquid nourishment, including medicines, vitamins and minerals.

Sadhu is a popular elephant that has participated in several major temple festivals across the state, often carrying the idol of the main deity. “Kerala lacks modern diagnostic and treatment facilities for elephants. That’s why more elephants die here,” said P S Raveendranath, General Secretary, Kerala Elephant Owners Federation.