Krantz, who claims to be treating the animal since it was captured near Gudalur, was thrown out of the elephant camp at Masanagudi after she "protested against the ill-treatment meted out to the animal".

Field Director of India Project For Animals, Krantz runs a orphanage for injured and deserted animals at Masanagudi. She has even threatened to wind up her shop and leave for New York if the State fails to "rescue the elephant from the grip of these people".

The elephant, Loki, is suffering, Krantz informs and adds that "the report from James Mahoni, Research Professor New York University, details the suffering endured by the elephant.

The report states that the Forest Department uses unscientific and cruel ways of treatment to subdue the animal which has mowed down morethan 21 persons in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Mahouts were assigned to subdue the pachyderm within 20 days and tame it so that the animal can be released, the report says but adds that "most of the raps were aimed at the wounds suffered on the lower part of its legs".

The raps were on the injuries which is most inhuman, Krantz says and adds that she has "recorded 370 raps on the wounds on tape". There are photograpic evidence of these injuries.

However, Udayan, wildlife warden of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, has stated that the pachyderm is fast recovering and would be released. Loki has been under the care of the best available veterinarians and the hue and cry about the `ill-treatment' is from those who are alien to the native methods.

He said those who are making an issue out of this "have vested interest" and added that "when the Department does not need her help she should stop bothering".