RAIPUR:RAIPUR: An elephant calf sustained injuries following a suspected bomb explosion within the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district.
The Risgaon Forest Range's ranger received reports of blood traces in the Saaltor beat of USTR, where a group of 38-40 elephants was spotted.
The ranger and staff discovered fragments of a potash bomb during their investigation.
The anti-poaching team tracked blood stains and footprints across 6km in the tiger reserve.
USTR deputy director Varun Jain confirmed that CCF Wildlife, Satowisha Samaajdar, Dr Rakesh Verma from Jungle Safari Raipur joined the search efforts with a dog squad and drone.
The explosion scattered the herd into smaller groups, according to initial findings.
Officials investigated whether the device targeted elephants or wild boar. In the absence of SDO Sitanadi, M R Sahu, SDO Udanti Gopal Kashyap led a three-day rescue operation.
On November 10, 2024, the team located a young elephant aged 4-5 years with injuries to its jaw and legs.
The authorities utilised a thermal drone to count the elephant herd accurately, whilst a veterinary team administered treatment to the injured calf.
The forest department has offered Rs 10,000 for information about the perpetrator who placed the potash bomb. The USTR deputy director confirmed that a dog squad was assisting in tracking suspects, and authorities registered a formal police complaint.
When asked about the condition of the elephant calf, the deputy director said that a team from the forest department and doctors will be visiting the spot this afternoon to diagnose the calf, and only afterward can he confirm its exact condition.
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