Update: Elephant calf safely rescued after days-long effort in central India’s tiger reserve
by Ekta ChaubeyIn an extraordinary rescue mission in central India’s Madhya Pradesh, a two-year-old elephant calf was successfully saved after it wandered alone through a tiger reserve, sparking a massive two-day operation involving 150 personnel.
The incident took place in Bandhavgarh district on November 6.
Visuals from the scene captured forest officials carefully guiding the calf into a transport vehicle, ensuring it was monitored for safety throughout the delicate process. Initially, the young elephant was spotted roaming in open fields as personnel maintained watch, cautiously approaching to prevent any distress to the animal.
Speaking to Newslions, Gaurav Sharma, Divisional Forest Officer of Katni, Madhya Pradesh, explained that the operation began around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday when the calf was first spotted. A team with 15 vehicles and four adult elephants was deployed to gently guide the calf back toward the forest. Initially, the calf showed hesitation and signs of distress but gradually warmed up, playing with the other elephants. By evening, the exhausted calf was tranquilized under veterinary supervision and transported for medical care. On Wednesday morning, around 7:30 a.m., the calf was brought into veterinary care, where it continues to recover.
According to reports, the calf had been wandering alone, distressed and trumpeting, after traveling an estimated 80 kilometers in search of its mother, who went missing. Villagers first reported the sighting, sharing video footage that mobilized the coordinated response by authorities.
The calf’s solitary journey followed a recent tragedy in the herd, where around 10 elephants, including four calves, died after consuming stale Kodo millet. Forest officials were impressed by the calf’s resilience, as it had survived on natural foliage and water from streams while navigating an unfamiliar, predator-dense environment.