Parjang: A male elephant calf was rescued from a field near Baiginia village under Dihadol forest section of Mahabirod range in Dhenkanal district Saturday morning.
The nearby villagers first spotted the animal, presumably abandoned by its herd and rescued it. Later, they handed the animal over to the Forest Department officials including Mahabirod ranger Haramohan Nayak, Dihadol forester Ramchandra Rout and guard Luspita Singh who reached the spot after being informed.
The officials expect the calf to be about one month old.
A close inspection revealed that the animal is unwell owing to a septic wound near its naval area. Treatment of the rescued animal has started at Parjang veterinary hospital, officials said.
Villagers said they had spotted a herd of elephants roaming in the area from where the calf was rescued. The mother elephant might have left the ailing calf, they said. As the news spread, hundreds of villagers thronged the veterinary hospital to have a look of the calf.
PNN