On one of the coldest mornings of the year, a frail and shivering elephant calf was found lying near the edge of a forest in Odisha’s Kalahandi district, drawing national attention to the growing crisis of human–elephant conflict in India. The calf, believed to be just three to four months old, was discovered by a farmer near a dilapidated hut as dense mist and frost covered nearby paddy fields.
According to eyewitnesses, the calf appeared weak and disoriented, unable to follow its herd up a steep forest slope. Moments later, loud trumpeting from nearby trees revealed the presence of the mother elephant and a protective tusker, who stood guard before retreating deeper into the forest. Forest officials believe the calf was not abandoned intentionally, but left behind due to exhaustion and injury, as the herd waited anxiously nearby.
The incident has sparked concern among wildlife experts and conservationists, who say it reflects a broader and worsening ecological problem rather than an isolated event. Shrinking forests, depleted water sources, and loss of natural fodder are forcing elephant herds to move closer to human settlements in search of food, increasing the risk of such tragedies.
Experts note that an adult elephant requires more than 150 kilograms of food and around 100 litres of water each day, a demand increasingly difficult to meet in fragmented forest landscapes. As a result, elephants often stray into farmlands, where crops such as paddy and sugarcane offer concentrated and nutrient-rich food. While this migration is driven by survival, it frequently leads to devastating losses for farmers, sometimes wiping out an entire year’s income in a single night.
Forest department officials confirmed that a veterinary team reached the site after the calf was reported injured, but the delayed response has raised questions about emergency preparedness. Wildlife activists have warned that transporting an injured elephant calf over long distances, such as to a sanctuary, carries serious risks due to stress and shock, especially without specialised mobile veterinary support.
The situation has also brought renewed focus on the degradation of elephant corridors, the traditional pathways used by herds to migrate between forests. These corridors are increasingly blocked by highways, railway lines, mining projects, agriculture, and expanding settlements. Conservationists say the loss of these natural routes forces elephants into human-dominated areas, intensifying conflict and increasing fatalities on both sides.
Government data shows that elephant encounters claim hundreds of human lives across India each year, with states such as Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, and Kerala among the most affected. In Odisha alone, more than 700 people have reportedly died in human–elephant conflicts over the past decade. Farmers often guard their fields at night using fire torches and crackers, placing themselves in grave danger.
To address the issue, central and state governments have introduced several initiatives, including habitat restoration, early warning systems, compensation schemes for crop loss and human casualties, and the deployment of rapid response teams. However, experts argue that implementation remains uneven, with delays in compensation and shortages of staff and equipment in remote forest divisions.
Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, elephants receive the highest level of legal protection in India, but enforcement challenges persist. Although more than one hundred elephant corridors have been identified nationwide, only a few enjoy legal protection, leaving many vulnerable to encroachment and development pressures.
The Kalahandi calf’s condition has become a powerful symbol of this imbalance between development and conservation. Wildlife experts stress that its survival depends on immediate medical care, warmth, hydration, and careful rehabilitation, with the long-term goal of releasing it back into its natural habitat and, if possible, reuniting it with its herd.
Conservationists say the episode underscores the urgent need for stronger emergency response systems, legally protected corridors, community-led conservation efforts, and greater accountability among authorities. As the elephant herd continues to linger near the forest edge, the fate of the calf serves as a stark reminder that India’s wildlife crisis is not just about animals, but about finding a humane balance between ecological preservation and human livelihoods.
The incident in Kalahandi has reignited calls for compassion-driven conservation, with experts warning that without decisive and coordinated action, such scenes may become increasingly common across the country.