(IN): Jumbo calf rescued

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Link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070823/asp/guwahati/story_8224755.asp

 

Jumbo calf rescued

A STAFF REPORTER

 

 

Aug. 22: Abandoned by its mother, it was trumpeting to draw the attention of

villagers.

 

Finally, forest officials today rescued the elephant calf from Rani reserve

forest and brought it to Assam zoo.

 

The baby elephant, not even a week old, was spotted yesterday by villagers

in the Chakardeo area of the reserve forest.

 

They informed the forest officials of the new find. The officials

immediately swung into action.

 

" It was important to rescue the calf. It would have died had it not been

saved. It was wandering in the reserve forest, " the divisional forest

officer of the zoo, Narayan Mahanta, said.

 

The villagers returned to the spot and found the little one trumpeting.

 

Realising that there was no chance of its reunion with the herd, they

brought the mater to the notice of the local beat office.

 

" The forest authorities lost no time. They rushed there and started the

rescue operation, " Mahanta said.

 

" The herd was not seen even today. The mother might have left the calf in

the lurch. "

 

He brought the calf to the zoo in an ambulance.

 

" It suffered bruises while wandering in the reserve forest, " he said.

 

" Helping it recover and lead a normal life is a challenging task. As it is

not even a week old, it will have to be brought up with special care.

Elephants had been rescued in the past but this one is too small. "

 

The baby jumbo was brought to the zoo hospital and veterinary experts took

its stool and blood samples.

 

They also weighed it.

 

The colour of its eyes is slightly reddish.

 

Proper care would be taken to heal the wounds, Mahanta assured.

 

" Rearing it is not an easy task and takes a lot of time. If proper care is

not taken, it could invite problems, " Mahanta said.

 

The animal, however, will have another mother.

 

" There is a female elephant in the zoo and hopefully it will develop a

liking for it and bring it up with motherly affection. That way the calf

will also feel at home in the zoo. "

 

It is believed that a herd generally does not accept any member, which has

come in contact with humans.

 

 

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