Piriyapatna: An emotional and distressing scene unfolded near Kogilwadi village in Piriyapatna taluk when a young male elephant calf became separated from its herd and fell into a trench.
The trench, reportedly dug by local residents of Hadi for electrical line installation, proved to be a hazard for the calf, who had wandered too close while moving with its herd. The rest of the elephant group had returned to the nearby forest earlier in the morning, leaving the calf stranded and alone.
The calf, later nicknamed ‘Mariane’, was seen trumpeting and crying continuously, searching for its mother. Hearing the distressed sounds, locals quickly alerted the Forest Department.
Responding promptly, forest officials managed to rescue the frightened calf from the pit and moved it safely to a nearby elephant camp, where it has been temporarily tied for safety and care. Officials stated that the calf was not injured but appeared deeply distressed and scared due to the separation from its herd.
The heart-wrenching cries of the calf have moved everyone in the vicinity. Forest staff and wildlife experts are hopeful that the mother elephant or herd may return by evening, following the familiar calls of the calf.
Efforts are ongoing to reunite Mariane with its mother, as the department continues to monitor movements in the nearby forest region.
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