Baby Elephant Kochayyapan died

It is sad to learn that four-year-old elephant calf Baby Elephant Kochayyapan died today. I met him last July. He was full of fun and frolic—such an active baby that anyone would fall in love with him instantly.

Kochayyapan had been rescued after being found wandering alone, isolated from his herd. He was brought to Annakodu in Konni. At the elephant training centre in Kerala he quickly became a star attraction. Many people visited repeatedly just to see him.

Kochayyapan first caught my attention when he banged his head against the cage wall because his caretaker didn’t give him another serving of his favorite leaves. The caretaker comforted him in a motherly manner.

He died of a bacterial infection and was found dead this morning. Experts say that elephant calves often get isolated after an accident or are abandoned by the herd if they are sick and unlikely to survive.

Baby Elephant Kochayyapan that died today will be deeply missed by his caretakers and the many visitors who adored him.