Karnataka: Forest staff rescue day-old elephant calf in Kodagu district

MYSURU: A one-day-old elephant calf that had fallen into a drainage in a coffee plantation at Srimangala in Virajpet taluk of Kodagu district coming under Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary was rescued by the foresters.
The calf, which had accidentally got separated from its mother in Kutta village, fell into the drainage dug deep in the coffee plantation on Wednesday morning. Luckily, the mother who was panicked, had traced its calf and had reached the plantation.

The coffee plantation staff and villagers who noticed the mother elephant and the calf inside the drain informed the forest department. Srimangala Wildlife Range RFO Veerendra, DRFO Harish and other staff rushed to the spot.
RFO Veerendra told TOI that when they reached the place, they saw the mother elephant standing near the drainage where its calf had fallen. “As it was little deep, the mother elephant could not rescue its calf,” he said.

After ensuring that the mother elephant was at a safe distance, the forest staff, including RFO Veerendra got down into the pit and lifted it out of the pit.
“While we are busy involved in rescue operation, the mother elephant waited patiently and did not trouble us,” Veerendra said.

The rescued calf was checked for any injuries by the vets and only after confirmation that it was fine, the animal was released back to its mother who immediately took the calf into the forest area.
Madikere Wildlife Division DCF S Prabakaran told TOI that the calf was rescued by the foresters and staff from Srimangala Wildlife Range. “The calf was reunited with the mother elephant,” he said.