https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

TN Forest’s Jumbo Step Towards Raising & Reuniting Calves With Their Herds

Tamil Nadu Forest Department has unveiled a standard operating procedure for orphaned elephant calf management The SOP is the collaborative effort of forest department staff, mahouts, veterinarians and cavadis from different tiger reserves Backed by real success stories, the SOP outlines crucial steps for reuniting stranded elephant calves with their herds
Indian Masterminds Stories

In a pioneering move aimed at improving the care and rehabilitation of orphaned elephant calves, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has unveiled a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Orphaned Elephant Calves Management. This unprecedented initiative is the first of its kind in the country.

The SOP, recently introduced by the department, is the culmination of the expertise and experience of the forest department’s staff, veterinarians, mahouts, and cavadis (assistants) from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and the Annamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR). These individuals are renowned for their skilful management of orphaned elephant calves, which often results in either successful rehabilitation in the wild or expert hand-rearing in captivity.

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, IFS officer A. Udhayan, who is the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and Director of the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation in Vandalur, Chennai, shed light on the significance of the document. He explained that the SOP addresses crucial aspects such as identifying the age of abandoned elephant calves, minimizing stress during handling, and facilitating successful reunification with their herds. The officer has led the expert committee on this brilliant document.

ABOUT THE SOP

“The SOP was required to know how to handle calves, when to intervene, and how to intervene in a situation where the elephant calf is noticed to be stranded,” said Mr Udhayan. He emphasized that the SOP provides clear guidelines for reuniting the calves with their herds and, in cases where this proves unfeasible, offers instructions on raising the calf in captivity.

REASONS

The reasons behind calves getting stranded are varied and include scenarios such as the death of the mother elephant, getting trapped in hazardous situations, entering human habitation, rejection by mother, intermixing of herds or being too weak or diseased to keep up with the herd’s pace. The SOP has been meticulously designed to address each of these potential circumstances and provide actionable steps for the best outcomes.

To maximize the chances of successful reunification, the SOP outlines crucial steps that need to be taken promptly. Efforts are focused on relocating the calf to the appropriate herd, minimizing human imprinting on the calf to facilitate its integration back into the wild herd, and adhering to specific procedures for safely moving the calf closer to its natural habitat and family.

SUCCESS STORIES

The SOP is backed by tangible success stories from various reserves, including Mudumalai, Annamalai, and Kalakad Mudanthurai tiger reserves, where stranded elephant calves have been successfully reunited with their herds. “The document serves not only as a guide for field staff but also as a means of transferring the accumulated knowledge to those on the ground,” the officer added.

The release of the SOP for Orphaned Elephant Management marks a significant step forward in wildlife conservation and animal welfare, with Tamil Nadu’s Forest Department setting a precedent for other states and regions to follow in their efforts to protect and rehabilitate orphaned elephant calves.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
amneet-p-kumar-y-puran-kumar
Who Is IAS Officer Amneet P. Kumar? Wife of Senior Haryana IPS Officer Y. Puran Kumar Who Died by Suicide
Y-Puran-Kumar
IPS Suicide Scandal: New Twist as Conflicting Dates, Missing Laptop, and MLA Interference Emerges in ADGP Y Puran Kumar Case
IGL Award
Indraprastha Gas Limited Wins 4 PNGRB Excellence Awards 2025 for Best City Gas Distribution in Delhi
LBSNAA NAKSHA
National Workshop at LBSNAA Trains District Magistrates and Collectors to Modernize Urban Land Governance with NAKSHA
Rail-Based Bulk Cement transport
CONCOR Launches India’s First Rail-Based Bulk Cement Transport, Pioneering Sustainable Logistics and Green Freight Solutions
LCH Prachand helicopter
LCH Prachand Helicopters Deal: Indian Air Force Signed ₹62,700 Crore Deal Marks Atmanirbhar Bharat Milestone
Su-30mki
India & Russia Seal Deal for RVV-BD “Fox-Killer” Missiles to Arm Su-30MKI Fleet
iaf day
Air Force Day 2025: Why India Celebrates IAF on October 8 | History & Significance Since 1932
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Jitendra Baghel MPPSC
7 Years, 4 Interviews, Now Dy.SP: How Jitendra Baghel Cracked MPPSC Through Relentless Struggle
Jitendra Baghel’s inspiring journey from a humble farming background to MPPSC Dy.SP showcases relentless...
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
amneet-p-kumar-y-puran-kumar
Who Is IAS Officer Amneet P. Kumar? Wife of Senior Haryana IPS Officer Y. Puran Kumar Who Died by Suicide
Y-Puran-Kumar
IPS Suicide Scandal: New Twist as Conflicting Dates, Missing Laptop, and MLA Interference Emerges in ADGP Y Puran Kumar Case
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT