Tragic Death of Elephant Calf in Chhattisgarh's Remote Forest Area
In a heartbreaking wildlife incident, a one-year-old elephant calf was discovered dead in a remote forest area of Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district. Forest officials have revealed that the young elephant likely perished after slipping into a pit while navigating challenging hilly terrain and becoming trapped between two rocks.
Incident Location and Discovery
The tragic event occurred in the Gharghoda forest range, specifically in the Charmar beat near Kaya village. According to forest department officials, a female elephant had been moving through this region with her two calves over several days. While traversing a particularly steep and uneven section of forest land, one of the calves is believed to have slipped into a depression on the slope.
The calf became wedged between two substantial rocks, leaving it completely immobilized and unable to free itself from the natural trap. Villagers first noticed the carcass in the forest and promptly informed forest authorities on Wednesday morning.
Challenging Terrain and Rescue Efforts
A dedicated forest team embarked on a strenuous trek through the inaccessible terrain to reach the remote location. The area's poor connectivity significantly hampered real-time communication from the site, complicating response efforts. Forest staff indicated that the calf likely succumbed to internal injuries and possible bleeding following the traumatic fall.
Gharghoda SDO Ashutosh Mandawa provided details about the scene, noting that the distressed mother elephant remained in the vicinity throughout the night, trumpeting mournfully near the spot where her calf had fallen. The forest team carefully extracted the carcass from between the rocks and initiated necessary procedures on-site.
Elephant Population and Terrain Challenges
Forest department data reveals that the Raigarh forest division currently hosts approximately 78 elephants roaming in various herds. This population includes 22 males, 40 females, and 16 calves. Officials emphasized that the terrain in parts of the Gharghoda range presents particular challenges due to its steep and rocky nature, which increases risks for young calves during movement through these areas.
Mandawa further explained that elephants continue to be present in the surrounding forest area, and forest authorities are maintaining close monitoring to prevent any additional incidents or potential human-wildlife conflicts. The department remains vigilant about wildlife safety in these challenging natural landscapes.
