The 26-year-old elephant, named Appu, was hit by a car six months ago and promptly treated for his injuries. But his mahouts -- a type of elephant trainer or keeper -- noticed that Appu was still not moving his tail months later.

On November 12, the mahouts brought Appu to a private veterinary hospital in Changanassery. The chief veterinarian noticed inflammation in the elephant's tail and took radiographs using a mobile x-ray unit.

The radiographs revealed Appu suffered from a tailbone fracture. The chief veterinarian treated the elephant's injured tail that same day.