Nilgai calf rescued in Medininagar, released into Palamu Tiger Reserve
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, October 21: A nilgai calf rescued in the Kundri range of the Medininagar Forest Division has been…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, October 21: A nilgai calf rescued in the Kundri range of the Medininagar Forest Division has been released into the Garu range of the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), forest department sources said.
Although nilgais are not typically found in the Palamu Tiger Reserve, forest officials chose to release the calf there, considering the lack of another safe forest habitat for its rehabilitation, sources said.
Villager Rescues Calf from Pack of Dogs
The calf was initially mistaken for a deer fawn. Chandan Kumar, a local villager, found it wandering near his domestic cattle and took it home for safety.
Pramode Kumar, the forester in-charge, said the villager had acted with good intentions by rescuing the animal from the danger of being attacked by village dogs.
“Chandan Kumar had no bad intentions when he brought the nilgai calf to his house. He did a noble thing by saving the animal from being mauled by a pack of village dogs,” Pramode Kumar said.
Forest Department Steps In After Alert
According to forest personnel, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Satyam Kumar received the first alert about the calf, which had apparently become separated from its mother. He directed the forest team to take care of the animal.
Forest sources said young herbivores, including deer and nilgais, sometimes become separated from their mothers when they mingle with herds of cattle grazing in forest areas. The young animals may then follow the cattle back towards villages, leaving their mothers behind.
Search Underway for Calf’s Mother
DFO Satyam Kumar said forest teams had been instructed to respond promptly whenever abandoned or separated wildlife was reported.
The department is also searching for the calf’s mother, officials said.
