Abandoned calf recuperating at BBP

Male calf found in Hanur forest range was separated from the herd some 10 days ago

The orphaned male calf reached Mahalinganakatte village in Lokkanahalli section, near Hanur forest range where it was found along with a cattle herd by the village residents. The abandoned calf had followed the cattle up to the village and had stayed on the outskirts, said Range Forest Officer Sridhar.

“As per directions of the deputy conservator of forests, we kept a watch on the calf, hoping that the mother would come in search of it,” he said.

‘No chances of reunion’
However, we later realised that the animal was separated from the herd some 10 days ago and there were no chances of reunion with its mother. Hence we decided to bring it to the office on October 20, Sridhar added.

Having been separated from the herd, the calf was weak due to starvation and malnutrition. The department played mother to the calf, in consultation with the local veterinarian, and fed the calf with milk, tender coconut and other fluids.

Sridhar said the calf was being fed with nine litres of milk every-day (three litres each time), 10 tender coconuts, apart from electrolytes and glucose to prevent dehydration.

Shifted to BBP
When the department realised that the health of the calf was deteriorating, they decided to shift the animal to the Bannerghatta Rescue Centre, where the animal could get constant medical care. The calf, weighing a little over 150 kg, was shifted to the Bannerghatta Biological Park on October 27.

Veterinarians at the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) examined the calf and found that it had become weak. The calf is now under the intensive care of the BBP staff, who are closely monitoring its health.