Hampi jumbo Lakshmi diagnosed with severe foot, skin disorders | Bengaluru News

The ailing temple elephant Lakshmi belonging to centuries hold Virupaksha temple at the world famous Hampi was brought to the Elephant Care Facility (ECF) in Malur, Kolar managed by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) for treatment by the experty veterinarians.

Personnel from the Veterinary Dept, Vijayanagar district diagnosed the health of elephant Lakshmi belonging to the centuries-old Virupaksha Temple at Hampi.

Personnel from the Veterinary Dept, Vijayanagar district diagnosed the health of elephant Lakshmi belonging to the centuries-old Virupaksha Temple at Hampi.

Personnel from the Veterinary Dept, Vijayanagar district diagnosed the health of elephant Lakshmi belonging to the centuries-old Virupaksha Temple at Hampi.

The ailing temple elephant Lakshmi belonging to centuries hold Virupaksha temple at the world famous Hampi was brought to the Elephant Care Facility (ECF) in Malur, Kolar managed by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) for treatment by the experty veterinarians.

The ailing temple elephant Lakshmi belonging to centuries hold Virupaksha temple at the world famous Hampi was brought to the Elephant Care Facility (ECF) in Malur, Kolar managed by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) for treatment by the experty veterinarians.

Personnel from the Veterinary Dept, Vijayanagar district diagnosed the health of elephant Lakshmi belonging to the centuries-old Virupaksha Temple at Hampi.

Personnel from the Veterinary Dept, Vijayanagar district diagnosed the health of elephant Lakshmi belonging to the centuries-old Virupaksha Temple at Hampi.

Personnel from the Veterinary Dept, Vijayanagar district diagnosed the health of elephant Lakshmi belonging to the centuries-old Virupaksha Temple at Hampi.

The ailing temple elephant Lakshmi belonging to centuries hold Virupaksha temple at the world famous Hampi was brought to the Elephant Care Facility (ECF) in Malur, Kolar managed by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) for treatment by the experty veterinarians.

The ailing temple elephant Lakshmi belonging to centuries hold Virupaksha temple at the world famous Hampi was brought to the Elephant Care Facility (ECF) in Malur, Kolar managed by the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) for treatment by the experty veterinarians.

Bengaluru: Lakshmi — the 40-year-old captive elephant at Hampi’s centuries-old Sri Virupaksheshwara Temple — is reportedly fighting a painful battle for survival amid what veterinarians have described as “medically and ethically unsuitable” living conditions. The findings of a recent health assessment conducted by a team of veterinarians have raised troubling questions over the welfare of one of Karnataka’s most prominent temple elephants.Despite protests by locals, Lakshmi was shifted to the Elephant Care Facility (ECF) in Malur, Kolar, on May 27th afternoon. Even as veterinarians and caretakers began treatment at the facility, a comprehensive clinical assessment conducted by govt veterinarians in Hampi revealed an alarming picture of the elephant’s deteriorating physical and psychological condition.“The elephant was found suffering from severe skin disorders, lameness, chronic foot disease, nutritional deficiencies and behavioural distress,” the report noted, attributing the conditions to prolonged confinement, inadequate care and unnatural living conditions.The report, accessed by TOI, stated that Lakshmi’s body bore visible signs of prolonged suffering. Veterinarians documented hyperkeratosis, thickened skin, fungal and bacterial infections, depigmented lesions and chronic skin damage caused by repeatedly resting on the hard stone flooring of the temple without proper cushioning or bedding. Several portions of her skin reportedly showed chronic excoriation and compromised integrity.During the examination, experts also detected Grade-2 lameness in the hind limbs, abnormal weight-bearing posture and altered gait biomechanics, suggesting chronic pododermatitis and degenerative musculoskeletal stress. The report cautioned that unless immediate corrective measures are implemented, the condition could worsen into irreversible osteoarthritis and severe foot-related disease.Raising concerns over Lakshmi’s diet, veterinarians observed, “The elephant was sustained largely on bananas offered by devotees, dry grass and minimal green fodder — a feeding pattern experts described as grossly inconsistent with the nutritional needs of captive Asian elephants.” The report also warned that inadequate dietary fibre diversity and possible mineral imbalance could weaken immunity, delay healing and trigger metabolic complications.

Beyond the physical suffering, the report highlighted disturbing behavioural symptoms. Repetitive stereotypic movements, restricted mobility and lack of environmental stimulation pointed towards psychological stress and compromised welfare. Veterinarians observed that the elephant had little opportunity to exhibit natural behaviour and was often conditioned to entertain temple visitors.The expert team recommended advanced medical treatment, hydrotherapy, regular bathing access, specialised foot care, soft natural substrates, unrestricted movement and scientifically supervised rehabilitation under experienced wildlife veterinarians and trained mahouts.Kumar Pushkar, Chief Wildlife Warden of Karnataka and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), said, “The elephant will be stationed at ECF, Malur for treatment and once it recovers fully, it will be sent back to Hampi.”