Cuttack: A baby elephant got stuck Friday near Mundali barrage in Cuttack while crossing the Mahanadi river. The pachyderm failed to negotiate the strong current in the river. Locals saw the predicament of the baby tusker and informed the Fire Services department. Fire services personnel along with officials of the Forest department have reached the spot and rescue operations are currently underway.
A 10-member expert team along with Chandaka DFO have reached Mundali for ‘Operation Gaja’. It is the name given to the rescue operation launched to save the animal in distress.
Sources said that two elephants have been swept away by the strong currents while trying to rescue the baby pachyderm.
However, according to Athagarh Ranger Ayesha Nisha, a herd of 17 elephants had attempted to cross the river near Mundali. All managed to cross the river safely except the baby one. “The level of water at the spot the elephant attempted the crossing is very high. That is why it has got stuck. We are trying our best to save the elephant,” Nisha said.