~Flood-rescued 53-year-old elephant Joymoti is being airlifted from Nagaland to Vantara, Jamnagar, for specialised veterinary treatment and lifesaving care.
Jamnagar, Gujarat, Aug 21 (VNI): Joymoti, a 53-year-old female elephant rescued from devastating floods in Nagaland and Assam in July, is being airlifted to Vantara, Jamnagar, for immediate and specialised veterinary treatment.
Joymoti was swept away by floodwaters in Nagaland during the second week of July and was rescued by local communities with assistance from government agencies. She sustained multiple injuries, including wounds to her forehead, right ear, above her tail, left inner thigh and abdomen, besides a deep, maggot-infested wound around her external genital area. Her right eye is severely damaged, leaving her blind in that eye, while she also suffers from longstanding lameness in her left hind leg due to a fracture sustained during logging.
Following her rescue, Joymoti received first aid and primary veterinary care locally, including wound dressing, pain medication, multivitamin and mineral supplements and supportive treatment. However, considering the severity and multiple locations of her injuries, her advanced age and mobility challenges, she requires immediate care at a specialised elephant hospital.
Her transfer to Vantara is solely for urgent and specialised veterinary treatment. Airlifting has been chosen to minimise the duration and physical demands of long-distance ground transportation. On arrival, Joymoti will undergo a comprehensive veterinary assessment and receive specialised treatment for her injuries and eye condition, along with nutritional and supportive care as required.
Transporting an elephant by air as part of intensive hospital care is a first-of-its-kind undertaking in India and requires extensive veterinary, animal-care and logistical preparation. Joymoti’s transfer is being conducted with close attention to her health, comfort and safety throughout the journey, including pre-travel veterinary assessment, preparation, loading, in-flight monitoring and arrival at the hospital.
Vantara has also proposed establishing three wildlife veterinary care centres in Assam, including a dedicated elephant centre, to strengthen local capacity for emergency wildlife treatment. The proposed facilities would provide species-specific care and veterinary support and would operate independently under the Assam Forest Department. The initiative aims to ensure that elephants and other wildlife affected by floods, human-wildlife conflict and other emergencies can receive high-quality treatment closer to home.
Joymoti’s journey to Vantara is not a permanent relocation but an urgent medical transfer undertaken solely to provide the specialised lifesaving treatment she currently requires. Her case highlights the importance of strengthening local veterinary infrastructure while ensuring that wildlife requiring advanced care can access it safely and without delay. VNI NEWS, Joymoti Elephant, Vantara, Elephant Rescue, Elephant Treatment, Nagaland Floods, Assam Wildlife, Wildlife Veterinary Care, Elephant Airlift, Jamnagar, Gujarat, Vantara elephant treatment, flood rescued elephant, elephant airlift India, specialised elephant veterinary care, VNINews, VNINews.com