An 18-month-old orphaned elephant calf, Maya, who was found abandoned and severely dehydrated in Kerala as a newborn, has been airlifted to Anant Ambani's Vantara in Jamnagar for specialised treatment. She had been unable to stand since her health deteriorated following a fall in July 2026, according to TOI. By late October, she was accepting only liquid feed and had multiple fractures, a chest infection and generalised bone thinning.
A Medical Board in Kerala recommended euthanasia on October 29 to prevent further suffering. However, a second medical opinion from Vantara's veterinary experts identified a possible parathyroid-related disorder that could respond to treatment. Following this assessment, Kerala officials decided on November 5 to transfer Maya to the facility for intensive hospitalisation and further medical intervention.
Maya was found abandoned on April 19, 2025, near Kaprikkad in the Malayattoor Division of Kerala. She was a severely dehydrated newborn elephant calf when she was rescued and brought to Abhayaranyam.
The Kerala Forest Department took responsibility for her care and hand-reared her around the clock.
Her health problems worsened after an accident on July 2, 2026. According to the account of her medical condition, Maya slipped while playing and injured her right shoulder.
The Forest Department attempted to manage the injury through physiotherapy and dietary supplements. However, her condition continued to deteriorate despite these efforts.
By late October 2026, Maya had lost the ability to stand. She was also accepting only liquid feed, indicating the extent of her deteriorating condition.
A detailed external medical examination found multiple fractures in her limbs, a chest infection and generalised bone thinning. Her bones were found to be extremely brittle, and her prognosis was considered grave.
Following the examination, a Medical Board recommended euthanasia on October 29, 2026, citing the need to prevent further suffering.
However, Kerala's Chief Wildlife Warden, Dr. P. Pugazhendi, sought a wider expert opinion before any irreversible decision was taken.
Vantara's veterinary team reviewed Maya's X-rays and blood work during a video consultation. Following this assessment, its experts identified a possible parathyroid-related disorder that could be treatable.
This assessment provided another medical option for the critically ill calf, whose condition had deteriorated despite the treatment and supportive care provided in Kerala.
After considering the second opinion, the decision was taken unanimously on November 5 to transfer Maya to Vantara in Jamnagar for specialised veterinary intervention.
Kerala officials had specifically requested Vantara's assistance to explore further medical treatment options for the calf.
At Vantara, Maya is scheduled to receive comprehensive pain management, advanced diagnostic investigations and specialised medical care.
The treatment arrangements also include hydraulic lifting systems to help position her safely, given that she is currently unable to stand and has multiple fractures.
Before the transfer, Vantara submitted a comprehensive treatment plan and arranged an airlift equipped with life-support systems to transport the calf from Kerala to Jamnagar.
The transfer was coordinated with the Kerala Forest Department, with arrangements made to ensure that Maya would not have to undergo the journey without familiar people around her.
Kerala Forest Department sent Assistant Forest Veterinary Officer Dr. Binoy C. Babu and Maya's familiar caregiver, Shri Nikhil Babu, along with her during the airlift.
The caregiver will remain with Maya throughout her treatment period in Jamnagar. This arrangement is intended to maintain continuity in her care while she adjusts to the unfamiliar surroundings at Vantara.
The veterinary officer's presence will also help maintain coordination between the Kerala Forest Department and the team treating Maya at the facility.
A Kerala Monitoring Committee will closely oversee Maya's medical progress during her hospitalisation. The committee will monitor her condition and treatment as she receives specialised care at Vantara.
The transfer is being carried out through coordination between the Kerala Forest Department and Vantara. The arrangements include continued involvement from Kerala officials, the accompanying veterinary officer and Maya's familiar caregiver.
Once her treatment is complete, Vantara will facilitate Maya's return to Abhayaranyam in Kerala.
Her prognosis remains uncertain, given the multiple fractures, chest infection, generalised bone thinning and the deterioration that left her unable to stand.
The immediate plan is to provide pain management, conduct advanced diagnostics and treat the possible parathyroid-related disorder identified during the second opinion.
