PUNE: Injured elephant Chanchala who was abandoned by her mahout

PUNE: Injured elephant Chanchala who was abandoned by her mahout and had been lying in a nullah for over four days was shifted to the Manikdoh rescue centre, Junnar, by the forest department officials on Thursday.

Chanchala, who is in her forties, was used for begging on the streets. She had developed gangrene in one leg, while her other leg was injured rendering her completely immobile. She was found writhing in pain by the local people, who informed the authorities, fed the elephant, gave water and erected a temporary shed for her.

Veterinary doctors from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the Katraj zoo were giving preliminary treatment to the elephant.

Forest department officials and veterinary doctors decided to shift the elephant to Junnar rescue centre for treatment on Thursday. At present, both the owner and the mahout are absconding. As per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, using elephants to beg on the streets is a punishable offence.

A person who lives near the nullah told TOI that the mahout had camped nearby with the elephant.

"For the last 15 days, the elephant was showing difficulty in walking because of the gangrene and the injury. Four days ago, she fell into the nullah, following which the mahout went missing. His belongings are still lying here."

Manoj Oswal, animal welfare board officer, said using elephants to beg is an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. "We book such mahouts and owners, but we still find elephants being used for begging on the streets."

Anil Khaire, director of the PCMC-run Bahinabai Chaudhary zoo, said that the mahout had been staying in Nigdi with Chanchala for over a year and had been using her for begging.

R S Kadam, range forest officer, forest department, said that the elephant was shifted to the Manikdoh rescue centre so that she could be under constant supervision of the veterinary doctor. "The elephant will also be away from human interference, since she is in distress. The rescue centre is managed by the forest department and Wildlife SOS Agra. We have informed the chief wildlife warden about the development," he added.

Kadam said the elephant was evidently neglected by the owner and the mahout.

"We have lodged a complaint with the police and they are looking for the duo. In this case, the owner did not even have any transit permission for the elephant."