In an update from Manas National Park, Tinku and Soni have been seen together over 7 times during the last month. Satellite signals received on the 10th and 11th November confirm Soni is moving around in the Batabari Forest in Ripu-Chirang Elephant Reserve. It is suspected that the pair may be following a wild elephant herd, although there is no confirmation as yet.
The calves had been staying near camp for the first few weeks of October but gradually moved further afield. They did venture close to some of the forest camps on several occasions but were scared away by firecrackers and noise which is a general procedure to keep them away from human dwellings. Fortunately they were not too close and have since kept their distance.
Sikom has been sighted a couple of times and is faring well. There is some concern over Tikla who hasn’t been sighted at all and was not in great condition the last time he was seen. He doesn’t have a radio collar which makes it impossible for the team to locate him.
- Philip Dev and Rani Deepor playing
At the CWRC, Junmoni, Tora and Dihing are all in excellent health and have started going on small walks in the Panbari Reserve Forest. There is a small stream close to the CWRC and they enjoy playing there and having a splash! Before they are allowed out the area is checked for wild elephant herds or any other perceivable dangers. They are still only toddlers and the team needs to look out for them.
Philip Dev is coming along in leaps and bounds. He had a tummy upset in October which was a suspected viral infection, but it didn’t bother him too much and he quickly recovered after a course of antibiotics. He is still housed with the calf admitted to the CWRC in September and the two get along like a house on fire!
It has been decided that all the calves will now have two names – the second name will relate to the area in which they were found. Philip-Dev’s playmate and new best-friend has been called Rani Deepor. After being left behind by her herd Rani Deepor was found stuck in mud in Deepor Beel, Guwahati, which must have been quite frightening for the little calf. Once freed from the mud she was taken to Guwahati Zoo and cared for there for 10 days before being transferred to the CWRC. Rani Deepor’s profile is now up on our orphans page and you can sponsor her here.
- Chandi Bandha – note the wound on her leg
The sub-adult female from Jaklabandha has been named Chandi Bandha and unfortunately has had a rough few weeks. Although she was de-wormed in September she was extremely weak in October due to internal parasites. Chandi Bandha was then diagnosed with a severe load of Cobboldia – a parasitic fly whose adults lay eggs near the base of the mouth or trunks of elephants. The larvae of this fly travel through the veins and reach the naval cavity of the elephant. Fortunately, after being de-wormed repeatedly, the infection is now under control. The little calf has meanwhile been quarantined. She is stable but her health is only just starting to pick up. Obviously this has caused a major setback in the plans for her release. Once well enough Chandi Bandha will be moved into the open enclosure with Junmoni, Tora and Dihing.
- Lily Nunai at the CWRC
Finally another new calf was admitted to the centre in the first week of October. She has been named Lily Nunai. She was pulled out of a dried riverbed in Udalguri by the frontline staff of SSB. She must have fallen and been unable to free herself as the terrain here is very rough. Her herd had left the area earlier that morning and couldn’t be found. As the young calf had sustained severe injuries and lacerations, attempts at reuniting her weren’t pursued. Lily Nunai has been at the CWRC for over a month now and has been through a couple of minor surgeries due to the severe injuries she sustained during the fall. In fact, surgeons from the Veterinary College (Surgery Dept) of Khanapara were called for a second opinion and to assist the surgery. Although she is recovering well her injuries will take some time to heal. Luckily Lily Nunai is in the best possible place for this to happen.
Animal Works co-founders Nafisa Naomi and Dr Tammie Matson are off to visit these projects and others in Assam tomorrow, and will be back with more news soon.
