Baby elephant Maya, facing euthanasia, airlifted to Vantara

An 18-month-old elephant calf named Maya, who had been recommended for euthanasia after her bones became too brittle to let her stand, was airlifted from Kochi to Vantara in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Friday (6 November) for specialised treatment, Kerala forest officials and multiple outlets reported.

Maya was found as a newborn in April 2025 near a pump house after her herd crossed a river in the Malayattoor forest division of Ernakulam. Weak, dehydrated and unable to suckle, she was hand-reared at the Abhayaranyam wildlife rescue centre in Kodanad.

In July this year she slipped while playing and hurt her right shoulder. Splints, physiotherapy and supplements did not stop her decline. By late October she could not stand and was taking only liquid food. Vets found fractures in both front legs, a chest infection and pressure sores, with X-rays showing extremely osteopenic, brittle bones.

On 29 October a medical board recommended euthanasia to prevent further suffering. Kerala’s Chief Wildlife Warden, Dr P. Pugazhendi, sought wider expert opinion first. Padma Shri elephant veterinarian Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma, a veterinary adviser to Vantara, said she may have a parathyroid-related disorder that could respond to treatment; Vantara’s head veterinarian backed a transfer. The board then supported sending her to Jamnagar.

On Friday a crane helped lift Maya into an animal ambulance at Abhayaranyam. She was driven to Cochin International Airport’s domestic cargo terminal and flown on a chartered aircraft. Her caregiver, mahout Nikhil Babu, and a Kerala veterinarian travelled with her. Vantara is bearing the cost and has outlined round-the-clock monitoring, pain management, advanced diagnostics, hydraulic lifting support and hydrotherapy where appropriate, with a treatment plan of about six months. Kerala remains in charge of her care; if she recovers, the plan is to bring her home to Abhayaranyam.

Her prognosis remains uncertain. Officials and caretakers have asked the public to hope — and pray — for Maya.