Abandoned baby elephant finds comfort in a female tusker in Assam Zoo

A newborn elephant abandonded by its mother in a reserve forest has found a new home and a foster mom in the Assam State Zoo in Guwahati.

The baby jumbo was heard trumpeting in the Rani Reserve Forest, on the outskirts of Guwahati, two days ago by residents of nearby villages who informed forest officials, said the zoo's Divisional Forest Officer Narayan Mahanta.

The next day, the villagers found the calf wandering about in the area and informed the nearby forest beat office.

Forest authorities immediately swung into action because there was no possibility of reuniting the calf, which was less than a week old, with its herd.

The calf, brought to the zoo in an ambulance, soon took a liking to a female elephant named Madhabi, who reciprocated by showering motherly affection on it and instantly made it feel at home, Mahanta said.

The calf suffered bruises while wandering about in the forest, and its eyes were slightly red, Mahanta said.

Elephant herds abandon their newborns if they are found to be weak or if their chances of survival appeared slim.

The calf is the youngest to be rescued by forest authorities so far and it would be a daunting task to help it survive and lead a normal life, Mahanta said.

Zoo personnel are taking care of the calf by feeding, comforting and reassuring it, he said.