The 30-year-old elephant, which was under treatment for two days after falling unconscious, returned to the forest area last night, only to come back again this morning to Periya Thadagam on the outskirts.

After administering over 30 bottles of glucose and normal food like ragi balls, fodder, banana and jaggery, the female elephant, suffering from a possible stomach-related problem, showed signs of recovery in the evening yesterday and was able to stand, forest department sources said.

As it started recovering, the elephant moved to the nearby forest area, much to the delight of veterinarians and department officials. However, the elephant, reportedly consumed plastic bags and also aloe vera, leading once again to stomach problems, which caused it to return and lie down a few kilometres from where it was being treated, sources said.

Veterinarians and senior forest officials are monitoring the development.