Abandoned elephant calf rescued

Chennai, Mar 19 (UNI) A two-month-old elephant calf, abandoned by its herd in the reserve forest area of Erode district, was rescued and brought to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at suburban Vandalur for rehabilitation.

Zoo authorities said the calf was sighted near the Bhavanisagar dam in Erode district a few days ago. Since the efforts by the district wildlife officials to reunite the male calf with its herd proved futile, they decided to shift it to the Zoo yesterday.

The calf was weak and in a state of stress. It was admitted to the veterinary hospital attached to the Zoo and quarantined.

The calf had been given liquid food, including glucose and skimmed milk.

The medical team at the Zoo, monitoring the new born, would take blood, urine and motion samples of the elephant and send it to the zoo laboratory to identify whether it had contracted any infection.

As it longed for its mother, the calf would remain in the quarantine enclosure till it became stable. Two animal keepers and three veterinarians were monitoring the calf round the clock.

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