Guwahati, July 5: In a dramatic early-morning rescue operation, forest officials and wildlife experts successfully reunited a lost elephant calf with its mother and herd in Assam’s Veroni area — a crucial elephant corridor near Kaziranga.
Around 4 AM, forest patrol teams near Borjuri Basti were alerted by local villagers who had spotted the calf wandering alone, separated from its herd as it attempted to return to the park. Acting swiftly, the patrol unit, along with a second team from the Agoratoli Range, rushed to the location.
The calf was found distressed, running through a paddy field and heading toward the Sapjuri tea garden area. Officials immediately informed the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC), whose rescue team joined the operation on the ground.
After safely capturing the calf, it was taken to CWRC for a medical checkup. Luckily, veterinarians found the young elephant to be completely healthy, showing no signs of injury or illness.
With time critical, officials made the call to attempt an immediate reunion with the herd. The calf was transported back to the Veroni corridor, and two trained departmental elephants were deployed to help track the herd’s location.
At around 8:30 AM, the operation reached its emotional high point — the mother elephant responded to the calf’s calls, emerged from the forest, and accepted the calf. The mother, along with what appeared to be close family members from the herd, led the calf safely back into the park.
Officials hailed the reunion as a textbook wildlife rescue, blending rapid response, local coordination, and expert intervention.
