An elephant calf fallen in a well at Jiringipada village under Phiringia block in Kandhamal district was successfully rescued by a 15-member team of the forest department on Thursday night.
The villagers of Jiringipada first spotted the calf in the well. They suspected that the calf might be part of a herd that passed through the village in search of food on Wednesday night.
After noticing the baby elephant, they immediately alerted the forest department following which a 15-member team reached the spot and launched an operation. The operation lasted for two hours.
Phiringia ranger Bijay Mallik said a path was created from the well with the help of a JCB machine and thereafter the calf on its own climbed onto the path and came out of the well. After coming onto the ground, it ran towards the herd waiting for it and then the pachyderms proceeded towards the jungle.
On the other hand, an ailing tusker was found struggling for life near Jukub of Satkosia Wildlife Division in Angul district. The jumbo is guessed to be 30-year-old. According to the Forest department officials, there is no sign of external injuries. Consumption of something unsuitable to it may have resulted in health problem.
A team of the Forest department along with a veterinary doctor has been at the spot, keeping a watch on it.