Elephant ccalf trapped in rocky pit

Baripada, Sep 5 (UNI) A four-month old elephant calf has been trapped in a five-feet deep rocky pit, about 45 kms from here, in the buffer zone of the Simlipal National Park and tiger reserve.

The calf was among a family comprising three adult cow elephants and a tusker.

The cub broke the protective ring of the adults and fell into the rocky pit.

Forest department sources here said the three adult wild cow elephants--its mother and two other females, chased a team of forest officials of Bangriposi range yesterday when the team was trying to rescue the little animal.

It was the fillial love that prompted the adults to chase away the forest team. This had prevented the team to rescue the trapped calf from the pit last night, Bangriposi Range officer Ram Chandra Murmu said.

He further said the team has again left for the site today to rescue the trapped cub.

UNI XC-DP KK DB1716