A male elephant calf separated from its mother near Lingapuram in the Sirumugai forest range near Mettupalayam is being rehabilitated at the Wildlife Transit and Treatment Centre at Pethikuttai.

Forest officials said the calf was found wandering alone on April 25. Two teams were formed to reunite the calf with elephant herds in the forest. Officials monitored the animal for several days and attempted to place it near different herds in the Sirumugai forest range, but the elephants did not accept the calf.

Considering the calf’s condition, it was later shifted to the newly established Wildlife Transit and Treatment Centre at Pethikuttai.

Forest officials said the calf is being provided with supplements under veterinary supervision. A mahout from the Kozhikamuthi elephant camp in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve has also been brought in to care for the animal.