Elephant calf dies under mysterious circumstances

July 25, 2005

Bipin Bhardwaj

Chhat Bir (Patiala), July 24

Conservation of wildlife in captivity suffered a setback as about three-month

old Seema, a female elephant calf, died under mysterious circumstances at the

Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park located in Chhat village on the

Chandigarh-Patiala highway, about 20 km from Chandigarh(India), this afternoon.

Death of the calf has raised doubts over the functioning of the zoo authorities.

Sources in the zoo revealed that Seema had been showing symptoms of constipation

for the past two days and stopped consuming fodder since last night. The ‘calf’

tusker was reportedly resisting efforts to tame her, sources claimed.

Highly-placed sources in the zoo disclosed that Seema had also sustained a

hairline fracture on her front right leg when her feet were tied with hooks

while being given training.

The mahouts, looking after her, informed the zoo authorities about the condition

of the animal following which Mr Neeraj Gupta, wildlife warden, and Dr Nirmaljit

Singh, veterinary doctor, reached the spot. The animal collapsed and breathed

its last in the presence of zoo officials about 2.30 pm.

After receiving the news Mr Vidya Bhushan, officiating director of the zoo, also

reached the spot. The officials were tightlipped about the death.

The successful breeding of elephants in captivity at the Chhat Bir zoo had

created a record in the history of Indian zoos when Hema, a female elephant,

after mating with Raj Mangal, male elephant, gave birth to Seema, on September

17, 2002. Seema had been growing stronger and stronger as the authorities have

not exhibited her for visitors.

An official disclosed that a postmortem examination of the animal would be

conducted tomorrow morning. A team of veterinary doctors has already been called

for this purpose

Efforts to contact Mr AS Dogra, Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, proved futile

till late this evening.

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