Elephant calf drowns in Samoda dam

Date :19-Mar-2019

The Hitavada State Bureau MAHASAMUND/RAIPUR,

An elephant calf being rescued by its herd from drowning in Samoda dam succumbed a few hours later on Monday. The Barnawapara herd of 21 elephants which also had a small calf once again came out the sanctuary near the populated areas of the Mahasamund. As the herd was crossing Samoda dam, a young calf began struggling to stay afloat. Entire herd came to rescue him. Somehow the calf was rescued out of the deep water and brought to the shore. At the same time, a buffalo, which tried to come near the calf, was chased away by angry herd.

On the other side of the dam, some villagers were trying film the entire incident. There was no one from Forest Department stopping villagers from flirting with a potential life-threatening situation for both humans and animals. It’s noteworthy that the Kumki elephants imported from Karnataka had recently been to Surguja from Mahasamund. The incident of wild herd straying into populated areas came just a few days after the transfer of Kumki elephants. Health Minister T S Singhdeo had even commissioned 8 vehicles as a part of Gajraj project. These vehicles are plying in Surguja without much benefit.