A female elephant aged about 25 years was found dead in Chilla range of Rajaji tiger reserve on Thursday after it supposedly slipped down a mud mound while trying to stop its calf from sliding down. The forest officials said that though the mother died the calf was safe. The calf was later taken to the enclosure in the Chilla range, they said, adding that it was being looked after by the keepers.
It is learnt that the elephant calf was found roaming on the road near Chandi Devi temple by the forest officials on Thursday. They followed the calf and reached the place where its mother was found lying dead. Another team of foresters upon being informed reached the spot and the elephant was buried following the conduct of post- mortem examination. The foresters said they encountered a heart-wrenching scene when the calf let out a wail while its mother's body was being taken away from the site.
Speaking to The Pioneer, the warden of Chilla range, Ajay Kumar Sharma said that the female jumbo might have got separated from its herd. “We guess that it slid down the mud pile while it was trying to stop its baby from falling. It happens that an elephant gets nervy after it is separated from the herd.