A wild elephant calf, separated from its herd, wandered into a mud house in a village and consumed Handia (a local rice beer). The incident created a stir among the villagers, attracting a huge crowd as forest officials stepped in to guide the calf back to safety. Managing the crowd posed significant challenges as the scene unfolded.
This event highlights the urgent need for public awareness regarding the protection of India’s heritage animal, the elephant. Calls have been made to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Wildlife (PCCF&W) in Odisha and the Forest Department to initiate campaigns educating people on how to respond to such wildlife encounters to ensure both human and animal safety.
