Bhanjanagar: A one-year-old elephant calf that was separated from its mother after it fell into a pit experienced agony in a forest on Ganjam-Kandhamal border. The calf has been wandering around alone in the forest. It grew weak due to lack of food over last three days. It was lost in the forest while forest officials launched a search to find its whereabouts.
Three days back, the elephant calf fell into a pit while going to a reservoir to drink water. Failing to rescue it, the mother elephant went along with its herd comprising 12-15 elephants.
Later, the calf was rescued by forest officials who once again left it in the forest in the hope that it would reunite with its mother. Most elephant herds do not accept an estranged one.
As the calf was heard roaring and wandering alone in the forest, forest officials believed it was lost. A team set off to keep a watch on its whereabouts and check on its health.
Till evening, forest officials were not able to find the calf in the forest. “We will check on the health condition of the calf and take necessary steps to rescue it,” said assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Sudarshan Badi said.
Steps will be taken to get it united with its mother and the herd. If not, it will be rescued and taken to Nandankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar, Badi further stated. PNN
