Bhubaneswar/Kendujhar, Aug 20: An elephant calf, estimated to be between 15 days and one month old, was successfully rescued and reunited with its herd following a coordinated, non-invasive operation by the Forest Department in the Jamudalak area of Champua Range on the night of August 19.

At around 8:00 PM, field staff and local residents informed the Forest Department about an elephant calf that had become trapped in a minor irrigation canal of the KIP near Jamudalak village. The canal was approximately 3–4 feet wide. The calf’s mother had been attempting to rescue it since around 8:00 PM. As the incident occurred close to the village, a large crowd had gathered at the spot, which was continuously managed by the Champua Range team to ensure the safety of both the elephants and the public.

Range Officer, Champua, Sagar Nayak, along with his team, immediately reached the spot and assessed the situation. With presence of mind and timely intervention, the canal water was blocked and diverted with the assistance of Forest Department staff and local villagers. The reduction in water flow facilitated the rescue operation and enabled the mother elephant to access the calf more easily.

Subsequently, ACF Sudipta Panda, along with the Division Wildlife team, field staff, Rapid Response Team (RRT) members and local volunteers, reached the location to support the operation. A drone was deployed to monitor the elephants and guide the mother. The team carefully cleared the area around the mother and used drone guidance to direct her towards the nearest existing steps in the canal. The mother elephant then successfully led her calf out of the canal.

However, approximately 200 metres ahead, towards the village side, the mother and calf became temporarily entangled between a transformer fence and a garden fence. The team maintained a safe distance and continued monitoring the situation. Within around 15 minutes, the mother successfully guided the calf out through a bridge and both moved towards the open field.

The mother-calf pair was kept under continuous drone surveillance as they proceeded towards an overflowing nalah. The herd of 13 elephants was located approximately 600 metres beyond the water channel. Following the trail of the herd, the mother and calf eventually reunited safely with the group.

The entire rescue operation was non-invasive. No chemical immobilisation or physical intervention was required at any stage. The mother elephant herself successfully rescued and guided her calf out of danger, while the Forest Department teams facilitated the process through crowd management, creating safe passage, diversion of canal water and drone-based monitoring and guidance. The successful operation reflects the coordinated efforts of the Champua Range team and the Wildlife Division, along with the support of local villagers and volunteers.