By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 31 Jan: An orphaned elephant calf has become the centre of affection at the Elephant Camp of the renowned Rajaji Tiger Reserve in the state. The elephant calf is drawing special attention and care from the Forest Department and park administration. The young calf, which had been separated from its herd and was found helpless in the forests, is now fully healthy and winning hearts with its playful antics inside the camp premises. The Forest Department team is looking after the calf with the same care and affection as a small child.
It may be recalled that forest personnel had found this male elephant calf on 18 January, while they were on a routine patrol in the Khara area of the Shyampur Forest Range. During the patrol, they noticed a newborn elephant calf lying alone in the forest. The calf was extremely young, completely isolated and in a helpless condition. Senior officers were immediately informed about the situation.
A team of forest officials and veterinarians rushed to the spot and rescued the calf. Despite sustained efforts, no trace of the elephant herd could be found in the surrounding forest area. Keeping the safety of the calf in mind, it was shifted to the Elephant Camp located in the Chilla Range.
SDO of the Forest Department Poonam Kaithola has confirmed that the elephant calf is now recovering rapidly. She said that the veterinarians are conducting regular medical check-ups and added that the most reassuring sign is that the calf’s weight is steadily increasing. The young elephant is being given an adequate quantity of milk as part of its nutritional care.
Camp in-charge Kanchan Nautiyal, who stays with the calf constantly like a shadow, said the young baby elephant has now become very comfortable with forest personnel. She said the calf needs milk every hour. After being fed, it runs around the entire campus, playing and exploring its surroundings. The playful behaviour of the calf helps the staff forget their fatigue and brings cheer to the camp.
The forest officials remind that the elephants are animals which prefer to live in herds and are known for never leaving their family members alone. In such circumstances the officials are surprised as to why this baby elephant was abandoned by the mother and the rest of the herd or how it was separated from its family.
It was also shared that the forest department teams are continuously searching the surrounding forest areas for the calf’s herd so that it can be reunited with its natural family. The officials said that if the herd is not located, the calf will be kept under the protection of the department and will be raised as a ‘camp elephant’ under due official care.
