Dhenkanal: An ailing elephant calf that was rescued six months ago from Chhendipada area in Angul district died at Kapilash zoo in Dhenkanal district Friday morning.
According to reports, the 10-month-old elephant calf ‘Raja’ was under observation at a rescue centre in Kapilash Zoo. It had been undergoing treatment at the zoo since May 14 after it was affected of some illness.
The jumbo was ill for the last few days; its condition became serious last night. A veterinarian attended to it, but in vain, it died this morning while undergoing treatment.
The reason behind the death of the calf is yet to be ascertained. The forest department is waiting for the post-mortem report, sources said.
Dhenkanal DFO Sudarshan Patra informed that a science team from OUAT has reached the spot for post-mortem to ascertain the exact reason behind the jumbo’s death.
It may be pertinent to mention here that three days ago, another ailing elephant calf had died after it was infected with Herpes virus. The calf was rescued from Hindol sub-division forest in Dhenkanal and was receiving treatment at the Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT).
PNN