Hydrotherapy pool at rehabilitation centre near Tiruchi helps rescued elephants cool off

A hydrotherapy pool has been commissioned at the Elephant Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre near Tiruchi to provide muscle relaxation for aged captive elephants suffering from pain and weakness in their legs.

The pool has been created by the Forest Department. The nearly 20-hectare centre, located in the M.R. Palayam reserve forest adjoining the Tiruchi-Chennai National Highway, shelters nine female elephants.

Saved from abuse

These elephants were translocated from various places of Tamil Nadu after the Forest Department found that they had been subjected to abuse and neglect by the private owners.

A Forest Department official said four of the elephants were aged. Gomathi is aged 71, while Sumathi, Sundari, and Indra are aged 60, 64, and 66, respectively.

While the aged elephants are being taken to the pool every day, the others are taken there on alternate days. The elephants are led to the pool by their mahouts in the morning, and spend about an hour in the water, the official said.

The pool is filled with water from the borewells dug at the centre to meet the drinking water requirements of the pachyderms, the mahouts, the ‘cavadis’ (assistants) and the Forest Department personnel attached to the facility. The pool has been established in accordance with the suggestion of veterinarians.

Daily walk

Every elephant has been provided with a high-roof shelter. The animals are taken for morning and evening walks every day.

The centre follows a dietary chart prescribed by the veterinarian, who examines the elephants regularly. An exclusive treatment shelter has been readied.

Surveillance cameras have been installed at the centre and the mahouts and the ‘cavadis’ have been provided with accommodation. There is a kitchen and a storeroom for green fodder, vegetables, and fruits for the animals.