For him, the wild was no alien turf

Death of veterinarian exposes need to provide support to those on high-risk jobs

January 13, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 05:47 am IST - PATHANAMTHITTA:

As close as it gets:C. Gopakumar tries to rescue a leopard which got caught in a trap laid by residents of Avolikkuzhy, near Konni,in February 2013.

As close as it gets:C. Gopakumar tries to rescue a leopard which got caught in a trap laid by residents of Avolikkuzhy, near Konni,in February 2013.

The trampling to death of veterinary officer C. Gopakumar by an elephant in musth at Vaipur, near Mallappally, on Sunday exposes the issues faced by personnel undertaking work as risky as tranquilising animals.

Dr. Gopakumar, one of the seven licensed elephant squad members of the Animal Husbandry Department in the State, was known for commendable work in the rescue and care of animals, especially elephants. As a veterinary surgeon with a passion for pachyderms, he played a sterling role in ensuring animal welfare, especially that of animals, in the central and southern parts of the State.

Individuals and organisations such as the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) had banked on him heavily with regard to safe tranquilisation of elephants in musth.

The initiative of Dr. Gopakumar in caring for elephants inspired a generation of elephant lovers, conservationists, and veterinarians. He had shown immense courage to prevent elephant casualties at temples. He had tranquilised not less than 250 elephants in the past 15 years.

He had saved many leopards, wild elephants, and bisons which had strayed into human habitations.

Once, a leopard rescued from a trap laid by people on the forest fringes of Avolikkuzhy, near Konni, in February 2013 attacked the veterinarian when it was being released in the wild.

George Varghese, district president of the Kerala Government Veterinary Officers Association (KGVOA), says Dr. Gopakumar’s death should be an eye-opener. The government has miserably failed to ensure adequate security cover to veterinary officers on tranquilisation duty, he says. The government should address issues such as shortage of staff and equipment. Adequate police security, especially for crowd control, should be provided. The government is yet to sanction even a monthly risk allowance of Rs.270 as recommended by the Pay Commission in 2011, he says.

Death of veterinarian in the line of duty exposes the urgent need to provide support to those on high-risk jobs.

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