An elephant calf suspected to have become victim of heat stroke, in Surada forest range of Ganjam district of Odisha, died on Sunday morning despite all attempts to save it.
This two-year-old male calf was located inside dense jungle near Gajalbadi of Ghumusar south forest division on Saturday morning. It died at 9.15 a.m. on Sunday while intravenous fluids were being administered. After post mortem, the body was buried at the spot by the forest officials.
“The calf bore no injuries but it was in severe pain suspected to be related to extreme hot climatic condition, dehydration or internal infection,” said Ghumusar south Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Bijay Ketan Acharya.
Following its rescue all attempts were made to cool down the calf through providing a makeshift shade and continuous drenching of its body. Veterinary doctor of Surada monitored the treatment of the animal in consultation with veterinary experts of Nanadankanan Zoological Park in Bhubaneswar. But forest officials and doctor had to depart from the spot at night as the elephant herd of which the calf was a member was present nearby and there were chances of their attack.
