Kharagpur: A two-to-three-year-old elephant calf died after falling into an open well in Bachhurkhoar village of Nayagram block, despite rescue attempts by its herd and forest officials.
Incident Details
According to forest department sources, a herd of around 25 elephants entered the locality from the Dorkhuli side of Tapoban forest at around 3 am on Wednesday. The herd reportedly approached a brick kiln area to feed on jackfruits when the calf, unable to notice the well in the dark, fell into it.
Rescue Attempts by Herd
Villagers who gathered at daybreak found the herd circling the well. Witnesses said the elephants repeatedly tried to rescue the calf by extending their trunks into the well and scraping away soil from the edges. Even after the rest of the herd moved away, a female elephant remained near the spot. Forest officials believe it was the calf’s mother.
Forest Department Response
After receiving information, forest workers from the Pratappur Beat under Chandabila Range launched a rescue operation. A JCB machine was brought in and one side of the well was excavated to facilitate the rescue.
However, the calf could not be saved. Forest officials suspect that soil collapsing into the well during the herd’s rescue attempts may have caused breathing difficulties. The carcass has been sent for postmortem examination.
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