HC to govt: Take urgent steps to save ill elephant

Panaji: The Bombay HC on Thursday directed urgent steps to be taken to save the life of 59-year-old elephant, Manik, who is suffering from acute arthritis and is critically ill. Manik is housed at Jungle Book Resort, Collem.

The HC permitted Manik to be transported to Vantara Animal Rescue Centre, Gujarat, for treatment once the department of animal husbandry or its nominee gives a go-ahead. If such a journey is possible, the HC directed all authorities to issue, on an urgent and priority basis, a transit pass for such transport, irrespective of whether passes are required to be issued on a holiday.

“...It is needless to state that once Manik has recovered, he shall be brought back to Goa,” stated the HC’s division bench comprising Justices Sarang Kotwal and Ashish Chavan.

Jungle Book Resort went to the HC seeking directions to the forest department to issue an NOC for the transportation of the elephant to Vantara for proper treatment, stating that no further medical intervention is possible in Goa. Advocate Vivek Rodrigues, with Laban Carvalho representing the resort, stated that the resort has been caring for the elephant since 2009.