OFF-BEAT: Elephants too need oil massage, blankets and warm spices in chilling winters

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
MATHURA, JANUARY 14 (STC): Oil massages, blankets. Bonfires outside enclosures and warm spices are helping elephants to fight the chilling winters as the temperature drops even further at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre.

These elephants need special care as they are rescued from captivity, Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder & CEO, Wildlife SOS, said. Tailored winter care management strategies are adopted to keep rescued elephants nourished and comfortable, especially those with age-related health needs or past, he added.

While their enclosures are fitted with halogen lamps and tarpaulin sheets that block cold winds and reduce heat loss, Geriatric elephants are wrapped with insulating blankets, Dr. S. Ilayaraja, Deputy Director- Veterinary Services, Wildlife SOS, said. They also receive oil massages that improve blood circulation and relieve stiffness, he added.

Their meals now include a specialised blend of warm spices – cloves, turmeric, ginger, garlic, black salt, ajwain (carom seeds), and hing (asafoetida), mixed with jaggery and ghee (clarified butter), Dr Illayraja said.

The animals share a special bond of friendship and become companion of each other and are seen helping their old friends in day-to-day activities, he added.

Established to rehabilitate severely abused and exploited elephants, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department Elephant Conservation & Care Centre, it is home to around 30 elephants.
(Straight Talk Communications)