The Tragic Death of Elephant Calves in Kerala

Death of Two Elephant Calves within two months in Kerala

Remember the elephant calf that entered the Wayanad school exactly one month ago? It died yesterday.  In Karnataka. This is the second notable death of an elephant calf recently; the playful, beloved four-year-old Kochayyapan at Anakoodu in Konni died on July 2nd. Both calves had one thing in common: they were abandoned by their herds, and the herds refused to take them back.

Chamundi, as the calf was lovingly called, was in its final days treated and cared for at an Elephant Care Centre in Karnataka.

According to recent reports, around 40% of elephant deaths are of calves younger than ten years. Between 2015 and 2022, 275 calves have died.

The Tragic Reality of Abandonment

It’s believed that a herd will sometimes abandon sick or weak calves, but it depends on the situation. Kochayyapan was suspected to have some kind of skin disease. He was hale and hearty, and then in the morning, he was found dead.

Elephant herds have strong social structures, especially the matriarchal ones. However, if a calf becomes very ill, unable to walk or keep up with the herd, the mother and herd are sometimes forced to move on for survival. Wildlife researchers have noted instances where a herd stayed with a dying calf, and sometimes the mother stayed with the calf for a while. Elephants have emotions and experience stress. It has even been witnessed that mothers try to lift a dying calf. But when it’s a matter of survival, they make the practical choice of abandonment.

The virus EEHV (Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus) is the reason for most calf deaths, killing a calf in one to two days.

Hope and Challenges in Elephant Calf Rehabilitation

However, not all rescued calves have died. Historically, Konni Anakoodu has raised many abandoned and orphaned calves brought in by the Forest Department. They have lived into adulthood and have been used for patrolling and ceremonial duties.

Forest officials sometimes release updates about their progress, highlighting the long-term survival of calves that have been lovingly cared for and have grown from sub-adulthood to adulthood. The staff and the mahouts have a tremendous role to play. Experts say that the early death of calves can be reduced if they are rescued quickly and provided with veterinary care. They can overcome the trauma of separation. Camps like Konni provide long-term feeding, medicinal treatment, and companionship with other elephants. Orphaned calves often form strong bonds with caretakers, which helps their survival.

Here is a list of rescued Claves and their history

Sreekutty was a three-month-old elephant calf rescued in November 2019 from the Thenmala forest area. She was found in a weakened state with injuries, possibly having been separated from her mother by strong river currents. She was taken to the Kottoor Elephant Rehabilitation Centre for care. A year later, in November 2020, a video of her first birthday celebration went viral. Sadly, Sreekutty later died in June 2021 due to a suspected case of EEHV.

Junior Surendran was brought to Konni Elephant Camp in 1999 after being abandoned by his mother, but he died in 2021. 

Appu and Ammu are two elephant calves that were rescued and kept at Muthanga. While Ammu, the female elephant, died in 2023, there is no current information about Appu, the male elephant.

Konni Surendran was rescued as a calf in 1999 after being found beside his deceased mother in Rajampara, Ranni. According to reports, Surendran is now a Kumki (a trained elephant) and has even been to Tamil Nadu for training.

Conclusion

Of all the calves mentioned, only Surendran was not abandoned by his herd due to sickness. He was orphaned because his mother died.