When Every Life Matters: Maya’s Journey to Specialised Care
Kerala Forest Department orders airlift of an ailing 18-month-old elephant calf from Abhayaranyam to Vantara, Jamnagar, for specialised intensive hospital care.
On 5 November 2026, Kerala’s Chief Wildlife Warden, Dr. P. Pugazhendi, IFS, ordered the immediate transfer of a female elephant calf, who was critically ill with multiple fractures and extremely brittle bones, to Vantara’s intensive hospitalisation facility. The decision followed 18 months of dedicated, round-the-clock care by the Kerala Forest Department and reflects a commitment to pursuing every scientifically and ethically justifiable treatment option before considering any irreversible course of action.
On 19 April 2025, a newborn calf was found abandoned near Kaprikkad in the Malayattoor Division after her herd crossed the river. She was weak, severely dehydrated and had received no colostrum. When her mother did not return, she was rescued and brought to Abhayaranyam on the Chief Wildlife Warden’s direction.
With no suckling reflex, she had to be hand-reared around the clock. Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer Dr. Binoy C. Babu, his staff and caregivers undertook this responsibility for over a year, under a dedicated Health Monitoring Committee (Medical Board), addressing digestive, orthopaedic, skin and foot-related health challenges along the way.
Today, she has a name: Maya.
On 2 July 2026, at around 15 months of age, Maya slipped while playing and injured her right shoulder. Despite treatment, physiotherapy, splints, and calcium and vitamin D supplementation, her condition continued to deteriorate over the course of three Medical Board inspections. By late October, she could no longer stand and was accepting only liquid feed.
An external examination conducted on 24 October by Dr. Dinesh P.T. of the College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Pookode, revealed a fractured left humerus, multiple fractures of the right radius, generalised bone thinning, a chest infection and pressure sores caused by prolonged recumbency. His prognosis was guarded to grave.
On 29 October, the Medical Board found that her bones were extremely brittle, raising concerns about a possible congenital defect. It considered the likelihood of a healthy recovery questionable and recommended euthanasia to prevent further suffering. This was a difficult but considered animal-welfare decision, based on her clinical condition and the treatment options available at the time.
Rather than close the case, the Chief Wildlife Warden sought a wider expert opinion on the calf’s condition and possible treatment options. On 1 November, the Forest Department arranged a video consultation in which Vantara’s veterinary team reviewed the calf’s records, X-rays and blood work. On 4 November, the Chief Wildlife Warden convened the Medical Board, Forest Department officials and Padma Shri Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma, an eminent elephant veterinarian from Assam and Veterinary Advisor to Vantara.
Dr. Sarma identified a possible parathyroid-related disorder that could respond, to some extent, to treatment. He recommended giving the calf the benefit of Vantara’s intensive care before considering any irreversible course of action. Dr. Yaduraj Khadpekar, Head Veterinarian at Vantara’s Elephant Care Centre, concurred. The recommendation was unanimously agreed upon by the members, and the transfer was ordered the next day.
Vantara has offered round-the-clock veterinary monitoring, comprehensive pain management, advanced diagnostics to investigate the underlying cause of her condition, hydraulic lifting systems to move and position her safely, and hydrotherapy where clinically appropriate.
The arrangement keeps Kerala in charge of Maya’s care while ensuring that familiar faces remain by her side throughout her treatment.
· Before the journey: Vantara veterinarians examined Maya and submitted a comprehensive treatment plan to the Chief Wildlife Warden.
· The journey: Vantara arranged an airlift equipped with life-support systems and continuous monitoring. A team comprising three Vantara elephant veterinarians, paravets and caregivers will accompany her, with emergency medicines and essential life-support equipment. The Kerala Forest Department will also be represented by Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer Dr. Binoy C. Babu and Maya’s familiar caregiver, Shri Nikhil Babu, who will travel with her.
· At Vantara: Her caregiver will remain by her side throughout the treatment period, providing continuity and familiarity in an unfamiliar environment.
· Oversight: A Kerala Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Conservator of Forests, Social Forestry, Central Region, will review her progress.
· Coming home: Once treatment is complete, Vantara will facilitate her return to Abhayaranyam.
Her prognosis remains uncertain, and the road ahead may be difficult. But Maya is not alone. With two institutions working together and familiar faces by her side, every effort is being made to give her the best possible chance. As Maya begins this journey, she needs all our good wishes, thoughts and prayers.