Rescued Elephant Calf Rejected by Herd in Odisha’s Angul
In a poignant turn of events that highlights the delicate balance between wildlife and human intervention, an elephant calf rescued from a muddy paddy field in Odisha’s Angul district was heartbreakingly rejected by its herd.
A herd of 22 elephants entered Angul’s Shyamasundarpur village on November 8, forest officials said. During the night movements, a baby elephant got stuck in the slush in the paddy field and was accidentally left behind. Villagers reported that the calf struggled to save itself throughout the night.
At dawn, a rescue team from Angul Forest Range pulled the exhausted calf to safety. The young elephant, weak and dehydrated, was shifted to Kulasingha nursery near Purunagarh for urgent medical attention. Veterinarians administered glucose, IV fluids and medication to stabilize his condition.
After the calf regained some strength, officials made a sincere attempt to reunite it with its herd. To eliminate traces of human scent, they smeared elephant dung on the calf and released it near the group. But the reunion ended in heartbreak; The elephants turned back, refusing to accept the calf despite repeated efforts to approach them.
Forest officials said they will continue to care for the calf and eventually investigate ways to ensure its rehabilitation. “This is one of the most emotional challenges in saving wildlife,” said a senior forest officer. “We’re trying to save a life, but sometimes nature decides differently.”
