Mysuru: It is with much sorrow that the Mysuru zoo authorities have announced the death of a male African elephant which was a familiar inmate for 40 years.
Timbo, aged about 47 years, was received from the then-West Germany in 1976. It was was suffering from chronic arthritis.
The elephant showed signs of limping of right hind limb over the past 25 days and found it difficult to bear the body weight on the affected limb.
Requisite treatment was carried out all through the days but no significant improvement was observed.
Expert opinion was also sought from Dr Khadri, a veterinarian having vast experiencein the field of wildlife and Dr Jacob Cheeran, an elephant expert from Kerala, Dr Dhanalakshmi, assistant professor, Veterinary College, Shivamogga in this regard.
Since it continuously bore the weight on its left hind limb, it developed contra lateral limb lameness. Necessary medication and physiotherapy were continued.
On Tuesday, March 22, it found it difficult to bear the weight on its either hind limb. Around 8-30 pm, the animal was found recumbent laterally on the enclosure on its right side.
The zoo’s executive director, deputy director, range forest officers, veterinarian, supervisors and other staff rushed to the spot. The animal appeared to be in a state of shock.
An attempt was made to lift it up with the help of a mechanical crane but it did not succeed.
The animal, not having recovered, died soon after midnight of Tuesday around 12-15 am in the early hours of Wednesday.
