Elephant calf dies after falling Into well in Odisha’s Keonjhar

A one-year-old elephant calf died after falling into a well at Kathabaunsuli village under the Sadar forest range in Odisha’s Keonjhar district late on Thursday night. The well belongs to a local resident, Mohan Charan Mohanta.

According to reports, a herd of around 10 elephants had entered a vegetable field owned by Mohanta. After feeding in the field, the herd was returning when the calf was suspected to have accidentally fallen into the well. It is believed that the calf may have been shoved while moving with the herd and subsequently slipped into the well.

Herd’s Rescue Attempts End in Tragedy

Local sources said the herd made repeated attempts to rescue the calf. The elephants are suspected of having tried to fill the well with stones to enable the calf to climb out. During this effort, stones from around the well reportedly fell inside and struck the calf on the head.

One of the rocks is believed to have caused fatal injuries. It is also suspected that the calf sustained severe head injuries and later drowned in the well.

The well had been covered with wooden planks and a tarpaulin sheet. While the covering was considered adequate for human use, it was unable to withstand the weight of the elephant calf, which fell into the well along with the planks and tarpaulin.

Body Sent for Post-Mortem

Forest Department officials, who were monitoring the herd’s movement in the area, alerted the Fire Department after the incident. The teams later managed to drive the herd away and recovered the calf from the well. The animal was found dead.

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The body has been shifted to Padmapur Nursery, where a veterinary doctor will conduct a post-mortem examination. The carcass will be buried at the nursery following the examination. The exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem report is received.