Activists rescue elephant Champa in Ahmednagar

PUNE: City-based RESQ Charitable Trust, CUPA’s Wildlife Rescue and
Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) in Bengaluru, People for Animals and the
state forest department have rescued a 58-year-old elephant in Ahmednagar.

The pachyderm, Champa, was used as a “begging elephant” and was
suffering from a fungal skin infection, abscesses and lesions all over her
body, advanced cataracts in both eyes, and severe arthritis, among other
afflictions. RESQ said the elephant had been standing on her feet in the
sun for as long as 60 days at a stretch.

RESQ founder Neha Panchamiya told TOI that Champa had not been bathed in months, was without fresh fodder or water, and was not provided bedding or mud mound to rest upon. “Our veterinarians are working round the clock to treat her injuries and make her as comfortable as possible. We are hopeful that she will regain her strength soon so that we can safely transfer her to the RESQ Wildlife Transit Care Centre in Pune,” said Panchamiya.

A state forest department official said they had taken temporary custody of the elephant. “The elephant will be sent to RESQ in Pune temporarily. Once it recovers, it will be housed at another rescue centre,” the official said.

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