Information released by the Department of Wildlife states that there are more than 200 elephants in Nepal. These elephants are either conserved by the state or are privately-owned. The TB-infected elephants owned privately by hotels in Sauraha are not receiving treatment in the lack of appropriate funds on the part of the hotels.
Dr Jeevan Thapa, a veterinarian treating the elephants says that it is impossible to control the spread of the disease unless all elephants are treated. Hoteliers in Sauraha say they are willing to treat the elephants only if they receive aid. Another vet, Dr Kamal Gaire, says talks to this effect with the hoteliers are under way and treatment for elephants is to begin mid-June with the help of donor agencies.
At present 10 elephants owned by various hotels inside the Chitwan National Park , 6 government-owned elephants in the National Park, 3 in the National Nature Conservation Trust, 2 in Bardiya National Park, 1 in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, 1 in Parsa Wildlife Reserve and 8 elephants owned by hoteliers of Sauraha have TB.
Among those infected, 19 are being treated and have been kept separately at the Chitwan National Park. Those treating the elephants say the animals´ condition is improving. Doctors say that the treatment of each elephant costs Rs 300,000. Even the Chitwan National Park citing lack of funds hadn´t treated the elephants for over a year even though they were diagnosed with TB. The treatment for elephants at the Chitwan National Park has been possible with aid from Elephant Care International, a US organization. Two doctors from the Agriculture Campus, one from the Chitwan National Park, and two other technicians are involved in the treatment.
The disease was diagnosed in 2001 but it spread among many elephants since treatment procedures were not introduced on time.
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