Raipur: Another elephant calf died in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district on Monday, bringing the total number of calf deaths this year to nine in the district alone. This has triggered renewed concern over wildlife stress and monitoring failures in one of the state's busiest elephant corridors.
The latest case was reported near the Gurda area of the Mand river in Kharsia forest range, where a calf was found dead in a water body. While initial local reports suggested drowning, forest officials indicated that preliminary findings point towards possible infection, stress, and injury-related complications instead. Raigarh Divisional Forest Officer Arvind PM stated that the calf appeared unwell before entering the water.
"Nearly 40% of Chhattisgarh's elephant population is currently in Raigarh. Out of natural instinct, when wild animals are unwell, they prefer to go towards water bodies to drink. Initial observations indicate internal infection and fracture injuries in the hind legs. This does not appear to be exactly a drowning case," the DFO told TOI.
He said toxicology samples have been sent to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly, while a joint team of IVRI and Wildlife Institute of India experts has been formed to conduct detailed case-by-case studies into the rising calf mortality. "We are examining multiple angles. One possibility is an infection that may not be easy to identify in wild elephants. Another factor is that calf mortality rates are naturally high because they are highly sensitive to injury, dehydration, and stress. Many of the recent deaths appear accidental," Arvind PM added.
Officials noted that one recently deceased calf was also found in a dehydrated state away from water sources.
The recurring elephant deaths come amid extreme summer conditions across the state. Raigarh has emerged as one of Chhattisgarh's most active elephant corridors in recent years, with herds frequently crossing rivers, entering villages, and moving through forest fringes during peak summer in search of food and water.
Sloth Bear Dies, Heat Stroke Suspected
Raipur: In another wildlife fatality reported from Marwahi forest division, a female sloth bear was found dead near Pipariya village, with forest officials suspecting heat stroke due to severe heatwave conditions. Marwahi DFO Grishmi Chand said preliminary findings indicate the animal may have succumbed to intense heat stress following prolonged high temperatures.
Wildlife activists have expressed concern that the back-to-back deaths point towards increasing environmental stress on animals during peak summer, particularly in regions where shrinking water sources, habitat pressure, and rising temperatures are forcing wildlife into vulnerable conditions.
