Kochi/Jamnagar, Nov 6:In a fresh attempt to save an ailing elephant calf, the Kerala Forest Department has ordered her transfer to Vantara's specialised elephant care facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, after a medical board had earlier recommended euthanasia due to her deteriorating condition.

The 18-month-old female calf, named Maya, is suffering from multiple fractures and severely weakened bones. She is being airlifted to Vantara for intensive medical care following consultations involving veterinary experts from the facility and the Kerala Forest Department.

The decision to transfer Maya was taken on November 5 by Kerala Chief Wildlife Warden Dr P Pugazhendi, IFS, after a wider assessment of her condition and possible treatment options.

Maya's ordeal began shortly after her birth. On April 19, 2025, she was found abandoned near Kaprikkad in Kerala's Malayattoor division after her herd crossed a river without her. Weak, severely dehydrated and without having received colostrum, she was rescued and brought to the Abhayaranyam elephant camp.

With no suckling reflex, the calf had to be hand-reared round the clock by forest officials, veterinary staff and caregivers.

Her condition took a turn for the worse on July 2 this year, when she slipped while playing and injured her right shoulder. Despite treatment, physiotherapy, splints and calcium and vitamin D supplements, her health continued to deteriorate. By late October, she could no longer stand and was accepting only liquid feed.

An external examination on October 24 revealed a fractured left humerus, multiple fractures in the right radius, generalised bone thinning, a chest infection and pressure sores caused by prolonged periods of lying down.

On October 29, the medical board found that Maya's bones were extremely brittle and raised concerns about a possible congenital defect. It considered the prospects of a healthy recovery questionable and recommended euthanasia to prevent further suffering.

However, the Chief Wildlife Warden sought a wider expert opinion before taking an irreversible decision. During a video consultation on November 1, Vantara's veterinary team reviewed Maya's medical records, X-rays and blood reports.

At a subsequent meeting on November 4, Padma Shri Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma, an eminent elephant veterinarian from Assam and veterinary advisor to Vantara, identified a possible parathyroid-related disorder that could respond to treatment to some extent. He recommended giving Maya a chance at specialised treatment before considering any irreversible course of action. Vantara's Head Veterinarian, Dr Yaduraj Khadpekar, concurred with the recommendation.

Under the arrangement, Vantara will provide round-the-clock veterinary monitoring, pain management, advanced diagnostic facilities and hydraulic lifting systems to help move and position the calf safely. Hydrotherapy will also be considered wherever clinically appropriate.

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Three Vantara elephant veterinarians, paravets and caregivers are accompanying Maya, along with emergency medicines and life-support equipment. Kerala Forest Department Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer Dr Binoy C Babu and her familiar caregiver, Nikhil Babu, are also travelling with her.

The Kerala Forest Department will retain oversight of her treatment through a monitoring committee. Vantara has also agreed to facilitate Maya's return to Abhayaranyam once her treatment is complete. Her prognosis remains uncertain, but the transfer marks another attempt to provide the young elephant with a chance of recovery.