Elephant
Kerala elephant calf, once recommended for euthanasia, flown to Gujarat for specialised treatment
An elephant calf named Maya, which was once recommended for euthanasia after developing a severe bone disease, has been airlifted from Kerala to Gujarat for specialised medical treatment.
The Kerala Forest Department arranged a chartered flight to transport the 18-month-old calf to Vantara, a wildlife rescue, conservation and rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, on Friday.
The facility, founded by Anant Ambani, will bear the entire cost of Maya’s treatment.
Kerala Chief Wildlife Warden Dr P Pugazhendi told the media that the calf suffered from a serious bone condition and needed specialised veterinary care.
A health monitoring committee had earlier recommended euthanasia after doctors expressed little hope of recovery.
However, the Forest Department decided to consult specialists elsewhere before taking the irreversible step.
Vantara proposes 6-month treatment plan
Explaining the decision to move Maya to Gujarat, Dr Pugazhendi said experts at Vantara had assessed the calf’s condition and recommended a treatment programme lasting at least six months.
“A health monitoring committee had recommended euthanasia for the calf as doctors had lost hope. But before going for any irreversible step, we discussed the matter with experts in other states and later with those in Vantara," he said.
"They have recommended an at least six-month-long treatment plan for the calf. Expert veterinary doctors there have already prepared a treatment protocol,” Dr Pugazhendi added.
Maya is suffering from osteopenia, a condition in which bone mineral density falls below normal levels, leaving bones weaker and less dense than healthy bones.
Her condition deteriorated further after she fell in July, leaving her unable to stand.
Maya airlifted from Kochi to Jamnagar
Maya, who weighs around 120kg, was transported from Abhayaranyam, a sanctuary for orphaned and abandoned wild animals in Ernakulam district, to Kochi airport in an animal ambulance on Friday.
She was then transferred to a specially arranged chartered aircraft for the journey to Gujarat.
Her mahout and a veterinary surgeon accompanied her during the flight.
Elephant calf Maya was airlifted to Gujarat from Kerala. Photo: Screen grab from X
The calf was rescued in April 2025 after forest officials found her abandoned in the Malayatoor forest division of Ernakulam district.
Since then, she had been receiving shelter and care at Abhayaranyam.
Her health took a turn for the worse following the fall in July this year, when her already fragile condition left her unable to stand.
Round-the-clock care and advanced treatment
In a press release, Vantara said Maya would receive round-the-clock health monitoring and specialised veterinary support during her treatment.
The planned care includes pain management, advanced diagnostic procedures, hydraulic lifting support and hydrotherapy, wherever appropriate.
The centre also clarified that the Kerala Forest Department would retain responsibility for Maya’s care and that the calf would return to Abhayaranyam after completing treatment.
Dr Pugazhendi expressed hope that the treatment would help the young elephant recover.
“We hope our calf will return to Keralam healthy,” the Chief Wildlife Warden said.
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