In a tragic incident, a one-year-old elephant calf lost its life after falling into a well at Kathabaunsuli village under the Sadar forest range in Odisha’s Keonjhar district late on Thursday night.
The well, owned by local resident Mohan Charan Mohanta, was located near a vegetable field. According to reports, a herd of around 10 elephants had entered the field and fed on the crops. While returning, the calf is suspected to have accidentally fallen into the well. It is believed that the young elephant may have been pushed or lost balance while moving with the herd.
Local sources stated that the herd made repeated attempts to rescue the calf. The elephants reportedly tried to fill the well with stones so that the calf could climb out. However, during this effort, stones from the surrounding area fell into the well and allegedly struck the calf on the head.
One of the rocks is suspected to have caused fatal head injuries. It is also believed that the calf may have drowned after sustaining severe trauma.
The well had been covered with wooden planks and a tarpaulin sheet. While the covering was sufficient for normal human use, it could not withstand the weight of the elephant calf, leading to its collapse.
Forest Department officials, who had been monitoring the herd’s movement in the area, immediately alerted the Fire Department after the incident. Rescue teams managed to disperse the herd and retrieve the calf from the well. The animal was declared dead at the scene.
