Elephant calf dies after slipping down slope in Wayanad
CCTV footage shows the calf tumbling down the slope as its mother and other members of the herd trumpet loudly and desperately trying to rescue it
Screen grab shows the female elephant calf after slipping down a slope at Muthumari near Mananthavady in Wayanad. The calf’s mother is also seen
A female elephant calf died after slipping down a slope at Muthumari in Thrissilery near Mananthavady in Wayanad recently.
The incident occurred on a sloping section of a privately owned plantation on Sunday (October 25, 2026). CCTV footage shows the calf tumbling down the slope as its mother and other members of the herd trumpet loudly and desperately trying to rescue it. The visuals have gone viral on social media.
An initial attempt by the Rapid Response Team (RRT) of the North Wayanad Forest Division to approach the calf was unsuccessful as the herd remained at the spot.
The calf was around one-and-a-half years old.
On Monday morning, a team of forest officials led by S. Kannan, Begur Range Forest Officer, reached the spot and drove the herd back into the forest before retrieving the carcass.
When contacted, Mr. Kannan said the incident was accidental and that no case had been registered in connection with the calf’s death.
“The carcass was buried after the post-mortem examination. The elephant calf had herpes,” he said.
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