Rinky the ellie
- 00:01:23
- YouTube
Rinky the ellie
This video of Rinky- the two year old elephant calf was shot on 2nd December` 2006. Rinky met with an accident when a speeding truck crashed on to her on the National Highway No.36 at Assam`s Nagaon district. Rinky was playfully walking on the side of the road escorted by her captive mother ( ages 20yrs ) and her elder sister ( aged 5yrs ), when this wretched truck driver lost control and rammed his vehicle into the elephant. Rinky was shifted from the site of the accident to the premier Veterinary college of the north east India at Guwahati city. The vets attending to her say that she has suffered Lumbo-Sacral fracture ( lower spinal cord fracture ), which is why she is unable to stand up or event sit. Her X-ray will be performed only on Monday 4th December ( as the machine is faulty ). When I went to pay the injured calf a visit, I found her condition to be pathetic. She was brought without her mother. This because the mother wont allow anyone to come near the calf, and was constantly trying to push the calf to get up. The calf was resting through the day and night below a shady tree on the cold ground. Although there was straw placed underneath but she has pushed them all aside. She has developed severe bedsores as a result of constantly lying on her right side. She was crying out in severe pain. The helpless owner was trying to do all that was possible within his limits. The veterinary department and the wildlife department were not able to provide some of the basic emergency requirements. 1. A mosquito net: Because the only mosquito net is in the Zoo and so it was not made available. 2. No blanket was provided to the calf, despite temperatures here reaching 12 Degrees Celsius at night. 3. No shed was above the elephant to protect it from the dew and other objects falling from the tree. This despite the fact that the elephant had paralyzed its tail and was not able to drive away the flies etc. 4. There is just one sling available in the Zoo, and even that was not made available so that the elephant could stand up. 5. Despite 3000 plus wildlife NGOs present in the state, none seemed to have the courtesy to pay the elephant a visit. Fortunately I carried a blanket, which I have donated to the elephant's owner. I have also asked the veterinary students to raise funds for the welfare of the elephant. The students have agreed to donate at least Rs.10/- each and want to buy the elephant a waterproof sheet so that it can be put up at night above the elephant as a shed. I am also trying to pass the message to all the local NGOs across. That this animal needs help! I have informed the local news media and it has already been published so that more people are aware of this elephant's condition. It is extremely sad that this sprawling veterinary college and hospital could not make the basics available to the one and only exotic patient and a schedule 1 animal. Azam Siddiqui ----------------------------------------------- Update: 04/12/2006 ( Monday ) Some good news. Dr. Kushal Konwar Sharma the most celebrated vet of this region and elephant expert, has returned from his outstation tour and has been assigned the case of Rinki. Dr. Sharma is a very compassionate veterinary surgeon and I have personally seen his work. He has a record of doing wonders when it comes to working for the welfare and treatment of elephants. Rinki is now in a safe pair of hands. Her treatment and her basic needs will definitely be looked after, this is what Dr. Kushal Sharma has promised me. I spoke to him few minutes back. Infact Dr. Kushal was not even aware of this incident. Please keep your prayers and blessings for Rinki comming. Shall keep all updated. Regards, Azam Siddiqui
YouTube | December 3, 2006
