'Experts were against jumbo's quick shifting for treatment'

Forest Minister Ramanath Rai on Saturday said the department did not immediately shift Sidda, a 35-year bull elephant, for treatment, on the advice of experts.

Sidda had fractured his right fore limb around two months ago after falling into a ditch near Dodderi, off Mysuru Road, while moving from Savandurga forest towards Bannerghatta National Park.

Speaking to reporters, Rai said it was advised that the elephant should not be moved in a sedated state as there were chances of the pachyderm suffering further injuries. Sidda was responding well to treatment by doctors in the last two days, he said.

The minister said the government had effected a 10-fold increase in the compensation for victims of man-animal conflict. While compensation for those with a permanent disability had been hiked from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh, for partial disability it had been increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh.