Madikeri: A massive operation is underway to trace a one-and-a-half-year-old orphaned elephant calf that was found beside the carcass of its mother at a private coffee estate in Kodagu district.

More than 50 Forest Department personnel, assisted by drone cameras, are combing the area in an effort to locate the calf and reunite it with its herd.

The female wild elephant was found dead under suspicious circumstances on July 26 at Kaurikadu Estate near Anandpur in Siddapura, Virajpet taluk.

Calf tied to a tree by the Forest Department to conduct post-mortem and cremation of the mother elephant.

Estate workers and residents discovered the animal after noticing a young calf crying continuously and refusing to leave its mother’s side. They immediately alerted the Forest Department.

A team of Forest officials, veterinarians and field staff rushed to the spot, secured the area and conducted a preliminary inspection before carrying out a post-mortem examination.

Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Kirubananthan said, the elephant, estimated to be between 50 and 55 years old, had sustained a spinal injury. However, the exact cause of the injury is yet to be determined.

The calf remained close to its mother’s body and repeatedly prevented officials from approaching the carcass. Despite several attempts, it refused to move away and was later seen wandering through the coffee estate, crying continuously and displaying signs of distress and aggression.

Forest staff operating drone cameras to locate the calf that has freed itself from the leash.

Display of grief

The calf’s grief was evident as it collapsed to the ground, rolled about in distress and repeatedly struck its trunk and head against a tree and the ground while crying out. After considerable effort, Forest personnel managed to restrain the calf and tie it to a nearby tree at a safe distance, enabling veterinarians to complete the post-mortem examination and cremation.

However, the calf later broke free, attacked three Forest personnel and fled into the coffee estate. Officials launched an operation to recapture it, but it managed to escape once again.

On July 27, around 50 Forest personnel began a search operation from Anandapur Puliyeri village. After searching throughout the day, the calf was spotted in the afternoon about 10-km away at Chennaiahnakote village in the Thithimathi forest range.

Before the team could reach the location, however, it fled again towards Mekur-Hoskeri village, prompting officials to extend the search to that area. The search continued on July 28 with the assistance of drone cameras, but officials had little success in locating the calf.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, DCF Kirubananthan said that once the calf is found, officials will monitor its movements rather than attempt an immediate rescue.

“It is too young and is confused as it has been separated from the herd and has lost its mother. It will be kept under surveillance. We will not capture or rescue it. The elephant herd from which it got separated is nearby and efforts will be made to help the calf rejoin the herd,” he said.