BHUBANESWAR: A massive rescue and medical operation successfully saved a wild elephant in the Chandaka Reserve Forest this week. A specialized team of veterinarians and forest officials worked together to treat the animal after it was found suffering from a serious leg injury. 
Expert Teams Save Injured Wild Elephant in Chandaka Forest Rescue


Discovery and Tracking

The situation began on December 16, when forest guards first spotted the male elephant. They noticed the animal was moving very slowly and appeared to be in significant pain. Upon closer inspection, the team identified a large swelling on its left hind leg.
Binod Acharya, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Chandaka, explained that the department immediately launched a 24-hour monitoring mission. "Our team tracked the elephant continuously to ensure we did not lose sight of him in the dense forest," Acharya stated.

A High-Tech Medical Mission

By December 18, the rescue operation intensified. Forest officials used advanced technology to locate the elephant in the thick vegetation. Drones were deployed to get a clear view of the animal’s condition from above without startling it. Elephant trackers on the ground worked alongside the drones to guide the medical team to the exact location.
The medical team was a collaborative group of experts. It included veterinarians from:
  • Nandankanan Zoological Park
  • Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT)
  • International expert 

Successful Treatment

Once the team reached the elephant, they successfully used a tranquilizer to calm the animal. This allowed the veterinarians to approach safely and examine the swollen leg. The medical experts cleaned the wound and administered the necessary medication to reduce the swelling and prevent infection.
The elephant is now back in the wild under the watchful eyes of forest trackers. Officials believe the treatment was a success and expect the elephant to make a full recovery. This mission highlights the effective use of technology and international cooperation in protecting Odisha’s wildlife.