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Dharamjaigarh Elephants: Expert Team Probes Calf Deaths
25 May
Summary
- Three elephant calves died in 17 days in Chhattisgarh's forest division.
- An expert team is investigating potential causes like drowning and habitat issues.
- Eight calves have died in the last five months in the same division.
Three young elephants have tragically died within a span of 17 days in Chhattisgarh's Dharamjaigarh forest division. This recent loss has prompted the forest department to enlist the expertise of a team from Dehradun, Bareilly, and Jabalpur. Their mission is to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding these deaths and to provide specialized training to local staff.
One calf recently perished after becoming trapped in marshy ground within a pond area. Its mother remained nearby for hours, attempting to free its offspring. Officials are increasingly concerned about the impact of shrinking forest cover, escalating human-animal conflict, and the condition of water sources within elephant habitats.
Over the last five months, a total of eight elephant calves have died in the forest division. Causes have included drowning, becoming trapped in marshland, and other unexplained reasons. The expert team will assess forest conditions and recommend measures to reduce elephant mortality.
The investigation will also explore whether a scarcity of food and water is compelling elephant herds to venture closer to villages and ponds situated near human populations. This includes examining incidents such as an elephant falling into a well in January and multiple calf deaths reported between March and May.
