Deserted calves sent to elephant safari in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Barang, Jan 12:

Three calves deserted by their mothers were released into the elephant safari at Nandankanan Zoological Park on the outskirts of Odisha capital on Monday.

Julie (7), Jagan (6) and Chandan (6) rescued by the forest department officials from various parts of the state were raised at the Nandankanan Zoological Park since they were babies. After the elephant calves attained their adolescence, the authorities were of the view that they be released to the safari considering their changing behaviour and safety of the visitors.

When Julie was three-month-old, she was rescued from Dhenkanal in 2009. After three months, Jagan was rescued from Sundergarh in 2010 when he was just two-month old. Similarly, Chandan was brought to the zoo when he was three-months old.

The authorities at the zoo constructed separate sheds, took a good care of the calves and employed mahouts to keep a watch on them. However, they became mischievous and even attacked the caretaker Arjun Khamari. This apart, the enclosure was getting cramped for the trio forcing the authorities to think about shifting them to safari built with an estimated cost of around Rs 2 crore.