Angul, Nov 17: An elephant calf rescued from Shyamsundarpur in Angul district has been shifted to the Kapilash Rescue Centre after repeated attempts to reunite it with its mother and herd failed. The emotionally charged relocation took place on Thursday in the presence of forest officials who had been caring for the calf for the past nine days.

The incident began on the night of November 7, when a herd of 22 elephants from the Mandargiri hills entered the Saradhapur–Shyamsundarpur area and caused extensive damage to paddy fields. During the chaos, a roughly 15-day-old elephant calf became trapped in the slush of a paddy field. By morning, the herd had moved on, leaving the calf behind.

Forest officials rescued the calf and shifted it to the Kulasinha nursery for treatment, as it was found to be in poor health. After the calf’s condition improved, attempts were made on November 8 to reunite it with its mother. The efforts were unsuccessful.

On the following day, forest staff used a drone to trace the herd’s location and made another attempt to return the calf. The calf’s body was smeared with elephant dung before releasing it near the herd to help mask human scent. However, the mother once again refused to accept it, forcing officials to bring the calf back to the nursery.

With no option left, the Forest Department decided to transfer the animal to the Kapilash Rescue Centre. The calf was sent in a dedicated vehicle accompanied by a mobile veterinary unit. It will now remain under 24-hour observation, confirmed Angul Forest Range Officer Nitish Kumar.

Forest staff who had bonded with the calf over the past several days were visibly emotional during the handover, as the animal had become accustomed to the affection and care it received at the nursery.