The Forest Department officials of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWLS) have rescued a one-year-old wild elephant calf, found abandoned near the elephant camp at Muthanga in the sanctuary.
They found the tired female calf alone, separated from her herd, near the camp on Sunday evening, V.K. Sreevalsan, wildlife warden, said on Monday.
“Most probably the calf got separated after the herd was attacked by a wild animal. The herd must have dispersed in panic after the attack,” he said. The smell of the domesticated elephants at the camp might have attracted the calf, he added.
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The calf is suffering from diarrhoea and is being monitored by a team of veterinary doctors led by Kalaivanan, forest veterinary surgeon, Muthumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu and Arun Zachariah, forest veterinary surgeon, WWLS. Dr. Zachariah said the calf could have been abandoned at least four days ago, the doctor said. Dehydration owing to diarrhoea has also affected its health.
Mr. Sreevalsan said the forest officials were trying to trace the herd of wild elephants to send the calf along with after recuperation. “If that is not possible the calf will be kept in the sanctuary with the consent of the Chief Wildlife Warden,” he said.
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