Vantara airlifts ailing elephant calf Maya from Kerala to Gujarat

Maya, an 18-month-old elephant calf, has been airlifted from Kerala to the Vantara wildlife facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, for specialized medical treatment. The transfer follows an order from Kerala’s Chief Wildlife Warden, Dr. P. Pugazhendi, after local efforts to stabilize the animal proved insufficient.

Found abandoned near the Kaprikkad area in the Malayattoor forest division in April 2025, Maya was raised by Kerala forest department staff after her herd crossed a river without her. While she survived her infancy through round-the-clock care, her health declined significantly following a fall in July 2026.

Medical examinations revealed multiple fractures in her front legs, severe bone weakness, a chest infection, and pressure sores. Specialists, including Vantara Veterinary Advisor Dr. Kushal Konwar Sarma, suspect an underlying parathyroid-related or genetic disorder may be contributing to her inability to stand. Maya is receiving intensive care, including pain management and 24-hour monitoring, at the Jamnagar facility.