Anti-virus measures at elephant camps

Udhagamandalam: After nine lions at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur in Chennai were found infected with coronavirus, forest minister K Ramachandran instructed forest officials to conduct virus test for the tamed elephants housed at Theppakadu elephant camp in Mudumalali Tiger Reserve (MTR) and Kozhikamuthy elephant camp in Top Slip in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).

While there are 27 kumki elephants in Theppakadu camp, 28 tamed elephants are housed in Kozhikamuthy camp. “All precautionary measures are being taken at the camp. Feeding time has been increased from one hour to three hours as each elephant is fed separately and sent back once feeding is done,” said MTR field director K K Kaushal.

There are 54 mahouts at the camp. “Only 12 mahouts have been vaccinated so far. They are from tribal communities and show little inclination towards vaccination. We are creating awareness among them. Before they enter the camp in the morning, thermal scanning is done,” the official said.

Coronavirus preventive measures have been taken in the Kozhikamuthy elephant camp from last year, said ART deputy director S Arokiaraj Xavier. “As many as 196 inmates of the camp, including mahouts and their relatives, have been vaccinated. They are also given medicine to boost immunity. Swabs were taken from 52 mahouts for RT-PCR tests last month,” he added.