Tamil Nadu - Erode   

This elephant calf prefers humans to the wild

R. Sundaram

ERODE: This elephant calf seems to prefer human beings to the wild. All efforts to send it back to the forest have proved infructuous.

The one-month-old calf fell into a 60-foot-deep well in the agricultural land belonging to Rajamani at Anaikattuthottam, Ennamangalam, on Wednesday.

Forest personnel rescued the calf and kept it at the Anthiyur Forest Ranger's office. A team of veterinary doctors examined it and administered medicines.

Officials then took the animal to Chellampalayam forest check-post to send it back to the forest.

Noticing the calf, some elephants came there and the calf joined them back to the forest.

However, minutes later, the calf returned to the plains. Forest officials tried thrice to send the reluctant calf into the forest, but failed. Now the calf is kept at the Forest Ranger Office at Varattupallam.

Its diet comprises milk and fruits.

Officials told The Hindu on Saturday that after getting permission from the superiors, the baby elephant would be sent to Vandalur Zoo.

It may be recalled that last month, a 25-day-old elephant calf that strayed into the plains was also sent to Vandalur Zoo.

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