Abscess removed from ailing elephant

A large abscess from the left foreleg of a 25-year-old elephant was removed today by forest department veterinarians at Anaikatti on the city outskirts.
The pachyderm was found struggling to walk by villagers who then informed forest department officials on Friday last.
The veterinarians, who rushed to the spot, rejuvenated the pachyderm by feeding it sugarcane, salt and other fodder, after which they decided to perform the surgery .
However, it hid in a thick bush, delaying treatment after which two kumkis (tamed elephants) were brought in to control it during surgery and an earth mover placed as standby, department sources said.

Officials managed to bring it out of the bush later and tranquilised it. the surgery was then performed and the abscess removed, they said.
The pachyderm later moved towards a stream, the officials said, adding that two teams have been formed to monitor its movement and condition.