Rescued elephant dies; calf guards body; witnesses in tears

Hassan: A 30-year-old elephant, which was rescued by the forest department from Kadagaravalli in Hassan district, Karnataka, died due to injuries. The elephant was stuck in slush for two days and was extricated by the forest officials on Tuesday after a 36-hour operation. The elephant had fractured her leg and sustained multiple injuries. She was undergoing treatment. She died on Thursday morning. There were heart-wrenching scenes when her six-month-old calf refused to allow the forest officials to take the body for post-mortem. The calf kept nudging her mother's body. Finally, the calf had to be tied and the body was taken away. The calf will be shifted to Sakrebailu Elephant Camp in Shivamogga. The locals and forest officials were in tears looking at the emotional scenes.