In Maruthamalai, Coimbatore, a female elephant aged about 40 years was found in poor health with a three-month-old calf. The calf rejoined an elephant herd and was later isolated, prompting forest officials to intensify efforts to reunite it with its mother.
Coimbatore: The Forest Department is making strenuous efforts to reunite a calf elephant with its mother after it was found with a group of elephants in Maruthamalai. On 30th last month, a female elephant around 40 years old was discovered in a debilitated condition along with a three-month-old calf. After receiving treatment for five days, the calf, which was temporarily taken care of by the department, joined another herd.
As forest officials monitored the situation, the mother elephant, which had regained health, was released back into the same forest area. However, complications arose when the calf strayed into a private farm yesterday morning. Upon receiving this information, forest officials moved quickly to bring the calf from the farm to Kuppepalayam and Attukkal forests where its mother was located.
Efforts to reintegrate the calf with its mother involved feeding it fruits and tender coconut, but the initial attempts to reunite them proved futile due to unexpected occurrences like intermittent rain and disturbances from bees.
Despite these setbacks, experienced elephant handlers from the Anaimalai Tiger Reserve were called to help in this task. They plan to attempt the reunion again this evening at Topslip Kozhikamuthi elephant camp, where more seasoned elephant handlers will be present. Last night’s attempt was hampered by various challenges, yet forest officials have decided to proceed with assistance from these expert handlers. Additional measures and updates will be announced later as the situation develops.
As forest officials monitored the situation, the mother elephant, which had regained health, was released back into the same forest area. However, complications arose when the calf strayed into a private farm yesterday morning. Upon receiving this information, forest officials moved quickly to bring the calf from the farm to Kuppepalayam and Attukkal forests where its mother was located.
Efforts to reintegrate the calf with its mother involved feeding it fruits and tender coconut, but the initial attempts to reunite them proved futile due to unexpected occurrences like intermittent rain and disturbances from bees.
Despite these setbacks, experienced elephant handlers from the Anaimalai Tiger Reserve were called to help in this task. They plan to attempt the reunion again this evening at Topslip Kozhikamuthi elephant camp, where more seasoned elephant handlers will be present. Last night’s attempt was hampered by various challenges, yet forest officials have decided to proceed with assistance from these expert handlers. Additional measures and updates will be announced later as the situation develops.