Hormonal changes suspected behind temple elephant’s aggressive behaviour

Tirupati: The TTD authorities have kept Srinidhi, a female elephant that attacked its mahout on Sunday, away from public contact for a week, with veterinary officials suspecting hormonal changes during its reproductive phase as the reason for its aggressive behaviour.

Srinidhi has been staying at Sri Padmavathi Ammavari temple goshala and taking part in the daily services of the deity for nearly 18 years.

Officials said the elephant is currently undergoing oestrus, a natural phase in its reproductive cycle during which hormonal changes can sometimes lead to changes in behaviour and increased aggression.

A team of veterinary doctors from Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park and officials of the goshala examined Srinidhi after the incident.

The examination found no other health-related problems in the elephant. Officials said the aggressive behaviour appeared to be temporary and could be linked to the hormonal changes associated with the reproductive phase.

The incident occurred when mahout Chandra Sekhar attempted to control Srinidhi after it became agitated. Officials said he reportedly used an ankus while trying to restrain the elephant. Srinidhi then attacked him, knocked him to the ground and stepped on him.

Chandra Sekhar suffered serious internal injuries in the attack and was shifted to Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS). He is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU and his condition is reported to be critical.

The efforts to shift him to Chennai for further treatment on his family members’ request also failed.

The incident caused panic among devotees and others near the temple. The situation was brought under control after another mahout, Chinnappa Reddy, acted quickly and secured chains around Srinidhi’s legs. His intervention helped prevent the elephant from causing further danger to devotees in the area.

As part of the precautionary measures, mahouts have been instructed to keep Srinidhi away from people for a week. Officials have also advised that the elephant be bathed regularly and provided with banana leaves to help keep it cool during the period.

The condition of Srinidhi and the injured mahout is being closely monitored by TTD Executive Officer Muddada Ravichandra, Additional Executive Officer Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, Joint Executive Officers Dr A Sarath and Prabhala Gopinath, and the directors of the goshala and SVIMS, Sivakumar and G Jagadish.

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Pradeep Vennelakanti

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