It is a season of relaxation and rejuvenation for three orphaned calves who stay in semi-forest environs inside the Vandalur zoo premises.
Unlike their domesticated cousins who are chilling in a camp in Mettuppalayam, these calves – Urigam (five years), Giri (four-and-a-half years) and Asokan (four years) — will enjoy the winter with adequate food and supplements to maintain their health inside the zoo premises itself.
Wildlife authorities said domesticated pachyderms from temples, mutts and dargahs end up suffering health problems, as they are often forced to touch humans. The lack of timely veterinary care sometimes even results in their deaths. However, the orphaned calves that are hand-reared in captivity in Vandalur zoo live in an environment resembling that of their parents in the wild. They rarely interact with human beings, authorities said.
Urigam, the oldest of the three, arrived at the zoo in January 2010 from Urigam Range in Hosur after a failed attempt by forest officials to unite the calf with its herd. Two months later, another calf was rescued from Javalagiri Rnage in Hosur and sent to the zoo. The third calf was brought to the zoo in December 2011 from Mettuppalayam.
A kilo each of green gram and rice, 300 g of jaggery and 50 g of salt will be provided to them apart from the regular food.
The 48-day camp begins on Thursday and will end on January 27, authorities added.
