Tadoba elephant gives birth to calf on V-Day

CHANDRAPUR: Love has blossomed in the wild of TadobaAndhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) this Valentine's Day. The female elephant Sushila that lives at Moharli gate of the tiger reserve, gave birth to a beautiful calf from her mate Gajraj early in the morning, sparking celebrations among the park managers.

RFO Moharli, Sachin Shende said, "Vets taking care of Sushila's pregnancy had estimated her calving date around February 15. However, to everybody's delight, she calved on Valentine's Day."

He said the three elephants, including Sushila reared at Moharli gate, were released in the jungle on Wednesday evening as usual for their overnight outing. Guards at Moharli gate heard cries of Sushila during calving during early hours.

During inspection in the morning, forest staffers found that she gave birth to a male calf in compartment no. 142 near Butki Bodi waterhole in Moharli range of TATR, he said.

Sweets were distributed among the staffers and visitors by TATR authorities to welcome the newborn calf. CCF and field director, TATR, Virendra Tiwari, also expressed delight over the news.

Veterinary doctor Chitra Raut, attached to APCCF (wildlife) office in Nagpur, rushed to TATR in the morning. "The baby calf and her mother are healthy. As the baby elephant was born on Valentine's Day, we are contemplating giving him a related name," said Raut, who also took care of Sushila during her pregnancy.

She claimed that the baby calf is quite strong and vigorous, and has walked one-and-a- half km from the place of calving in forest to Moharli gate.

The calving also bears significance as the three-year-old baby elephant Gauri, the first-born of Sushila, had died of ailment last year despite their efforts to save her. Elephants Sushila and Laxmi had been brought from Sironcha forest range to TATR in May 2008.