The relationship between mahouts and their elephants have always fascinated one and all. This is the story of the dedication of a mahout who, with expertise from veterinarians, managed to cure his elephant entirely of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Gomathy, the 23-year-old elephant of the Sankaranarayanasamy Koil in Sankarankovil, that overcame the disease, is now healthy and one of the 34 elephants participating in the camp for temple elephants in Thekkampatti, Mettupalayam.

The disease had prevented Gomathy from participating in last year’s edition of the camp. The disease was first identified in January 2015, when Gomathy participated in the camp.

“Usually wild elephants that roam close to cattle are prone to such diseases and we routinely vaccinate cattle in the farms close to forest fringes to prevent the spreading of the disease. But that may not be the case with temple elephants,” said A. Manohar, Tamil Nadu Forest Veterinarian.

The situation became worse for Gomathy as the pads on her legs began to fall out making it difficult to take even a single step. Her life was in the hands of her mahout S. Sanal Kumar, who started her treatment along with another mahout A. Mani.

“We took advice from vets and treated her with liquid paraffin and castor oil. Her condition was also constantly monitored by vets,” said Sanal.

District Forest Officer S. Ramasubramaniam said that the pads on Gomathy’s legs were so affected that sand got into it creating septicaemia.

The treatment proved effective as she was completely cured in three months’ time. Sanal who saw her getting well claimed that it was because of the powerful gene she carried. Gomathy was born to Kaleem and Selvi, Kumkis from the Kozhikamuthi elephant camp in Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

“We all know how powerful a Kumki Kaleem is and no wonder his progeny is just the same. It would not have been easy for other elephants,” added Sanal.