Elephant Calf Dies After Falling into Well in Keonjhar

Bhubaneswar: A one-year-old elephant calf died after falling into an open well at Kathabaunsuli village under the Sadar forest range in Keonjhar district late on Thursday night.

According to reports, the incident took place when a herd of around 10 elephants was passing through the area. The calf reportedly slipped into the well while the herd was foraging for food in a vegetable farm belonging to Mohan Charan Mahanta.

In a desperate attempt to rescue the calf, members of the herd tried to fill the well with stones. However, the stones allegedly fell onto the calf’s head, causing severe injuries. The calf is suspected to have drowned after sustaining critical head trauma.

On receiving information, Forest Department officials reached the spot, retrieved the carcass, and initiated necessary procedures. A post-mortem examination will be conducted at Padampur Nursery to ascertain the exact cause of death.

The incident has once again highlighted the growing instances of human-elephant conflict in parts of Keonjhar district.