A tragic incident unfolded in Kochi on Friday when a captive elephant, aged around 55, died after choking on a mass of palm leaves. The event occurred at Nettoor in Ernakulam during preparations for a temple festival parade.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The elephant, named Nellikattu Mahadevan but also known as Babu, was brought for a parade at the Tirunettur Mahadeva temple festival. Soon after chewing on palm leaves on Friday morning, the elephant began showing signs of severe discomfort and uneasiness. Its mahout immediately informed others of the animal's distressed state. Due to the worsening condition, the elephant was not paraded as planned.
Failed Intervention and Postmortem Findings
A veterinary doctor was called to the spot but could not pinpoint the exact cause of the elephant's distress, despite being told about the palm leaf consumption. The elephant's condition deteriorated, leading to its death in the afternoon.
The postmortem examination, conducted at Kodanad, provided the conclusive and heartbreaking answer. Officials found a compacted mass of chewed palm leaves obstructing the entrance to the windpipe, confirming that the elephant had choked to death. Social forestry officials noted that such reports of elephants choking to death are exceptionally rare.
Aftermath and Background
Following the postmortem, officials removed the blockage of palm leaves from the animal's airway. The tusks will be removed from the carcass, which will then be cremated. The elephant had been under the custody of an Ayurveda eye hospital for the past two decades, highlighting its long history in captivity.
This unfortunate event has cast a shadow over the temple festivities and raised concerns about the safety and monitoring of captive elephants during such public events.
