Baby elephant gets stuck in Dhenkanal's Rengali canal, escapes after several hours

A baby elephant fell into the Rengali canal near Haladiabahal under the Dhenkanal Sadar Range and struggled for several hours before managing to climb out on its own. The young tusker remained stuck in the middle of the canal for a long time, unable to come out due to the strong water current. Eventually, with great effort, the calf pulled itself out and was later seen running towards the nearby forest.

With continuous rainfall over the past few days, the water level has risen in several rivers and canals, including the Rengali canal. 

While the herd of elephants managed to cross, this baby tusker, believed to be around five years old, got trapped in the canal. 

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Witnesses said elephants often enjoy pools of water during the monsoon. This baby tusker was probably playing but got stuck in the deeper portions of the canal, which made it difficult for the calf to climb out. This left it stuck for several hours.

Forest Department Assesses The Situation

Forest officials rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. As is standard practice, the department first assesses whether the elephant can escape on its own. In cases where animals fail to get out, JCB machines are deployed to level the ground and create a passage for their safe exit. However, in this instance, the calf managed to rescue itself without intervention.

Close Watch On Health And Reunion Efforts

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After emerging from the canal, the baby elephant appeared visibly excited as it ran into the forest near Haladiabahal. The Forest Department is keeping a close watch on its health and movement. Efforts are also being made to reunite the calf with its herd, ensuring its safety and well-being.