Elephant herd rescues calf after it falls into canal in Keonjhar village

In a dramatic late-night incident in Odisha’s Keonjhar district, a baby elephant was rescued by its mother and other members of the herd after it fell into a canal while retreating from a village.

The incident occurred on Thursday night at Baradapal village under the Sadar Forest Range in Keonjhar district.

Villagers Light Fires to Deter Herd

According to local sources, a herd of around 25 elephants was moving near the village when residents noticed their presence. Fearing crop damage and possible entry into the settlement, villagers lit fires to deter the animals.

Startled by the flames, the herd turned back abruptly. Amid the commotion, a calf slipped and fell into a nearby canal.

Mother Leads Rescue

The calf remained trapped in the canal for some time, triggering tense moments for both villagers and forest officials monitoring the situation.

After assessing the situation, the mother elephant, assisted by other members of the herd, initiated a rescue effort. Using their trunks and coordinated movements, the elephants managed to lift the calf out of the canal.

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The rescue was witnessed by residents, who watched as the herd successfully brought the calf to safety.

Following the rescue, the herd moved away from the village area without causing further damage, bringing the situation under control.

The incident once again highlights the increasing instances of human-elephant encounters in parts of Odisha, particularly in districts like Keonjhar that frequently witness herd movement near habitation areas.