Raja, Yogi, Rangeeli, Radha and the new entrant Rani are luring the tourists in Rajaji National Park and Tiger reserve these days staying in the elephant enclosure. Before beginning the safari in the Chilla range, the visitors prefer to meet the newly-joined elephant Rani which has now gained weight after the good up keep of the foresters. She was adopted by the Park authorities after being left out by the family.
Meet seven months old ‘Rani’ who greets her visitors by lifting the trunk and expresses her gratitude if offered bananas by children on the permission of forest guards. She has gained weight by nearly 150 kgs nearly. Speaking to the Pioneer, Range officer Chilla range D P Uniyal said, “This female elephant infant had got separated from her family members in Shyampur forest range three months ago from where we brought her to Chilla range. A contract worker is engaged in her upkeep and the infant has gained more than 150 kgs.” It weighed 85 kgs earlier and is now 254 kgs say the foresters.
“We had searched a lot for the herd of elephants from which this infant got separated. So finally was brought to Chilla. After gaining health she was named Rani,” adds Uniyal.
The child elephant lives happily with other female elephants Radha and Rangeeli. For a baby elephant, family life is everything and losing its mother is the worst possible starting point. At around two years old, the young elephants can begin to look after themselves.
Not all the elephants survive the trauma of their rescue after separation from family and fortunately Rani survived the wintery nights. Her surrogate mother Radha made her stand on her feet and gave her all the affection say the foresters.