Kalpetta: A six-month-old injured elephant calf, rejected twice by its herd, was captured and relocated to the Muthanga elephant camp in Wayanad on Monday for better care. The calf, initially rescued and treated on Friday, had been released into the Begur forest range near its herd but was later found wandering near human settlements close to Carmel Estate on Monday morning.

North Wayanad Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Martin Lowell said the capture was part of a coordinated operation involving the Rapid Response Team (RRT), forest veterinarians, and Begur Forest Range staff. "Efforts to reunite the calf with its herd were unsuccessful, leaving no choice but to transfer it to the Muthanga camp," he explained. The decision was prompted by concerns for public safety and potential damage to private property, he added.

The rescue operation, which began at 9 am on Monday, was led by DFO Martin Lowell and included Begur Range Forest Officer Renjith Kumar, RRT Section Forest Officer K Raju, Veterinarian Dr Ajesh Mohandas, and conservation biologist Vishnu, among others.

Forest officials noted that the calf’s future will depend on its recovery and overall health. Releasing it back into the wild without the protection of a herd would jeopardize its survival, they emphasised.