Joymoti, a 53-year-old female elephant rescued from severe flooding in Nagaland and Assam in July, is being airlifted to Vantara in Jamnagar for urgent and specialised veterinary care.
Joymoti was swept away by floodwaters in Nagaland during the second week of July before being rescued by local communities with support from government agencies. She suffered several injuries, including wounds on her forehead, right ear, abdomen, left inner thigh and the area above her tail. She also has a deep, maggot-infested wound around her external genital region.
Her right eye has sustained severe damage, leaving her blind in that eye and causing continuous tearing. She also suffers from longstanding lameness in her left hind leg following a fracture sustained during logging. The condition affects her mobility and makes it difficult for her to move normally and access food and water.
After her rescue, Joymoti received initial treatment locally, including wound care, pain medication, nutritional supplements and supportive veterinary treatment. However, considering the seriousness and number of her injuries, her age and existing mobility problems, specialists determined that she requires advanced treatment in a dedicated veterinary hospital.
Her airlift to Vantara is being undertaken exclusively for medical treatment and is not a permanent relocation. The decision to transport her by air is intended to reduce the physical strain and travel time associated with a long ground journey.
At Vantara, Joymoti will undergo a detailed veterinary examination and receive specialised treatment for her injuries and eye condition. She will also be provided with nutritional and supportive care based on her medical requirements.
Specialised Air Transport For An Elephant
Transporting an elephant by air for intensive medical care is a first-of-its-kind effort in India and requires extensive preparation involving veterinary teams, animal-care specialists and logistics experts.
Every stage of Joymoti’s journey, including her medical assessment, preparation, loading, in-flight monitoring and arrival at the hospital, is being planned around her health, safety and comfort.
For elephants suffering from serious injuries, chronic conditions or mobility problems, air transport can significantly reduce travel time and limit the physical stress associated with prolonged road journeys.
Need For Local Wildlife Veterinary Facilities
Joymoti’s situation also highlights the importance of developing specialised wildlife veterinary facilities closer to areas where emergencies occur, particularly in regions affected by floods, human-wildlife conflict and other wildlife emergencies.
Vantara has proposed setting up three wildlife veterinary care centres in Assam, including a dedicated elephant care facility. The proposed centres are intended to strengthen local veterinary capabilities and provide species-specific treatment closer to where animals need help.
The centres would operate independently under the Assam Forest Department, with the broader objective of ensuring that elephants and other wildlife can receive timely and appropriate medical care without having to undertake long-distance journeys whenever advanced treatment is required.
Joymoti’s transfer to Vantara is therefore an urgent medical intervention aimed solely at providing her with specialised lifesaving care. Her case also highlights the need to strengthen local wildlife healthcare infrastructure while ensuring that animals requiring advanced treatment can access it safely and quickly.
For now, the priority at Vantara is to provide Joymoti with the specialised treatment, care and support she needs, giving her the best possible chance of recovery and a safe, healthy and dignified life.
