Bhubaneswar: A newborn elephant calf, born on Wednesday morning, died at Brahman village in the under Bangiriposi range in Mayurbhanj district.
According to reports, the forest department had captured photos and videos of the calf and its mother using cameras and drones on Wednesday but did not comment on the calf’s condition. However, after observing no movement from the calf, a veterinary team visited the spot and confirmed the calf’s death.
Notably, the area had experienced heavy rainfall due to Cyclone Montha, and the newborn calf was exposed to the rain. The mother elephant was so protective about its calf for which it did not allow anyone to approach, making medical treatment impossible. The exact cause of the calf’s death will be determined after a post-mortem examination, according to the forest department.
“We have been monitoring the activities of the elephant herd roaming here. One of the elephants gave birth to a calf yesterday. As the mother elephant and other elephants were guarding the baby calf, we failed to go near it. Later, we found it dead. It might have died inside the mother elephant’s womb or soon after birth. Post-mortem will reveal the exact cause of the calf’s death,” said the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF).
