Date:19/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/19/stories/2008031952310500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Male elephant calf rescued

Special Correspondent

It was sighted near Bhavani Sagar dam in Erode district

It is under severe stress after long journey to Vandalur zoo where it will be rehabilitated
It will be fed with baby food

CHENNAI: A two-month-old male elephant calf that got separated from its mother from the wild was rescued by Forest Department officials in Erode district.

The calf has been sent to the Vandalur zoo for rehabilitation.

Zoo authorities said the calf was sighted near the Bhavani Sagar dam in Erode district a few days ago.

The authorities took the calf to a place of safety. On Monday, it was sent to the Vandalur zoo and it arrived here on Tuesday morning.

The calf was under severe stress owing to the long journey, and it fell asleep in the afternoon.

Soon after it arrived at the zoo, the calf was taken to the quarantine area where the authorities gave it water mixed with glucose to reduce the stress. The animal would be fed with baby food from tonight.

“We will make maximum efforts to improve the health of the calf,” the zoo officials said.

With the arrival of the calf, the zoo now houses three calves, the other two being female.

Both the female calves were rescued in Erode district in 2005 and rehabilitated at the zoo. They were named as Chellammal and Abinaya, the officials said.