A five-year-old elephant, which was under treatment for the last three years for bone fracture, died at Theppakkad elephant camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

Ranga, alias Chemmozhiyan, was brought to the camp after it separated from its mother five years ago from Sathyamangalam forest area. The elephant, which slipped down from a height, suffered fracture of the legs and a rib.This required it to lie down on specially made jute and water beds, sources in the Forest Department said.

Various treatments, including Ayurveda failed to make it walk. Attempts to make him walk using artificial legs also went in vain.

Ranga was taken care of by Mahout Manban and his wife Mandi. The elephant, which was named Chemmozhiyan during DMK period, was changed to Ranga after AIADMK came to power, the officials said.

Ranga will be buried in the camp itself.