Orphaned Elephant Calf Rescued in Chanthaburi
Veterinarians are rehabilitating a young elephant calf found guarding its deceased mother in a rubber plantation, with plans to return it to the wild within 15 days.
A male elephant calf, approximately one year old, is currently receiving care at the Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Breeding Station in Chanthaburi province. According to Khaosod Online, the calf was rescued after being discovered in a rubber plantation in Kaeng Hang Maew district, where it was found standing by the carcass of its mother. Upon rescue, the calf exhibited signs of being underweight and suffered from minor inflammation caused by a snare trap on its leg. Veterinary teams have treated the wound and are now focusing on the animal's nutritional transition from milk to natural vegetation. The rehabilitation process includes feeding the calf wild bananas, bamboo, and other native plants, while also providing fresh elephant dung to introduce necessary gut bacteria for digestion. Pitak Yingyong, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Division of Protected Area Regional Office 2, stated that the goal is to release the calf back into the wild within 15 days, provided its health and behavioral progress remain positive. For residents and travelers in the region, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in agricultural areas. While the calf is currently stable, officials emphasize that its eventual release depends on continuous health assessments and the identification of a suitable, safe habitat. Further updates on the calf's condition and release timeline are expected as the rehabilitation period progresses.
