The Forest Department is monitoring an elephant calf that was found roaming with injuries in Solakkarai reserve forest area in Madukkarai range of the Coimbatore Forest Division, close to the Tamil Nadu – Keralam border.
The elephant calf was first spotted with injuries at the Solakkarai forest peripheries on September 18. It was found under the protection of its mother and two cow elephants.
Madukkarai Forest Range Officer R. Arun Kumar and his team rushed to the spot and monitored the calf. They found that the elephants had entered Tamil Nadu from the adjacent jurisdictions of Keralam.
Mr. Kumar said the calf had injuries similar to the ones suffered in the attack by a carnivore, and injuries resembling claw marks of a tiger were seen. Since the calf was under the protection of the three cow elephants, the staff could not approach it for a closer examination.
The Department used a drone fitted with a camera to monitor the calf, which was struggling to walk.
“Due to the calf’s injuries, the elephants were camping in plain areas to navigate at ease. The mother and the two females are supporting and protecting the calf,” said Mr. Kumar.
A few videos of the elephants drinking water from a stream along the Tamil Nadu – Keralam border, and the calf limping due to the injuries were widely circulated on social media.
Published – September 20, 2026 06:50 pm IST
