Saturday, May 14 2005 18:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thrissur: Appu, the 1982 Delhi Asiad games mascot, who stole many a heart during the games, died this afternoon after a 21-year battle with illness.

The tusker, belonging to the Guruvayur Devaswom, had risen to instant fame at the age of five after his participation in the Asiad.

But two years later, tragedy overtook Appu after he suffered a fall at Palakkad where he had been taken for a function. He accidentally slipped into a septic tank and had his forelegs broken, Devaswom sources said. The animal did not recover after that.

Appu could not move after the mishap and was being treated at the Devaswam's elephant shelter at nearby Guruvayur, Elephantologist Dr K C Panicker said.

The condition of the elephant, which was being given Ayurveda and allopathic treatment, had deteriorated over the years and had worsened since yesterday (May 13, 2005). It had been unable to sleep since the last 21 years, he said.