Keonjhar: Abandoned and ailing elephant calves have become a cause of concern for the forest personnel working in various parts of the state, according to reports.
The issue assumes significance after villagers rescued a 20-day-old jumbo calf from a pit near Bhanra village under Karanjia forest range in neighbouring Mayurbhanj district and handed it over to Karanjia forest officials, three days back. Another, ailing calf is also in the custody of forest officials.
Reports said a 22-member elephant herd has unleashed a reign of terror in villages under Patna forest range in Keonjhar and under Karanjia range in Mayurbhanj. The forest officials of both districts are spending sleepless nights to protect the lives and properties of the villagers from the fury of the animals as well as to save the pachyderms from external threats.
The animals often lose sight of their tracks and run here and there after people try to drive them away from the human habitats. As a result, they are falling sick due to lack of rest and exhaustion.
Panicked, the calves while running with the mother elephants either suffer from illness or fall into pits or craters. It is said that the herd members do not allow a calf in the group if it gets accidentally touched by humans while running to save their lives.
To save the lives of jumbo calves, forest officials sensitise the villagers urging them to contact the department when they find any ailing or abandoned calf.
Reports said that the calf rescued recently fell into a 5 to 6-foot pit and got injured. The mother elephant and other herd members fled towards the jungle after villagers arrived at the spot.
After rescuing the baby elephant, the villagers handed it over to the department and it is undergoing treatment.
Contacted, Karanjia DFO Srikant Nayak said the calf was safe following treatment. Meanwhile, it has been handed over to the Pithabata forest range officials in Similipal Wildlife Sanctuary who will decide on its release into the forest, added Nayak.
On the other hand, the villagers’ chasing the elephant herd has turned into a bane for the pachyderms. The forest personnel have repeatedly urged the villagers not to drive away the animals but instead, inform them, but in vain. As a result, the herd members while running helter-skelter from one place to another often fall into pits or craters endangering their lives, the DFO said.
PNN