In a heartwarming wildlife rescue, forest officials successfully reunited a lost elephant calf, affectionately called "Chotu," with its mother by using a traditional method—rubbing elephant dung on the calf to mask human scent, helping the mother instantly recognise and accept her baby.

The incident occurred at Borjuri Basti, Bokakhat, Kaziranga National Park, Assam, northeastern India, on July 5.


The visuals from the spot open with the young calf visibly distressed and disoriented, circling a forest department vehicle, seemingly seeking help after being separated from its herd. The frightened baby elephant can be seen sniffing around the vehicle, pacing anxiously in search of its mother.

Recognising the urgency, the forest team quickly located the mother elephant nearby and came up with a simple yet effective idea to ensure a smooth reunion. To help the mother recognise her calf and overcome any hesitation caused by human scent, one of the officials gently rubbed some of the mother’s dung onto the calf’s trunk and legs.

Once the scent-masking was done, the calf was carefully guided toward the forest. Before setting off, it let out a soft trumpet, almost as if expressing gratitude. In a touching moment, one of the forest officers can be heard gently encouraging the calf: “Haan, jaa. Jaa, jaa, jaa” (Go ahead). The clip ends with the calf walking alongside its mother, now safely reunited.

Speaking to Newslions Media, Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park, Assam, shared details of the touching reunion between the lost elephant calf and its mother, saying that the incident took place early Saturday morning at around 4:00 AM.

While on routine vehicle patrol, a forest team was stopped by villagers near Borjuri Basti, who reported that a calf had been separated from its herd while the elephants were returning to the park through the Veroni corridor. The patrol team immediately rushed to the location, where they were joined by another team from the Agoratoli Range.

Upon reaching the spot, officials spotted the calf wandering in a paddy field and moving toward the tea gardens in Sapjuri. The Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) was alerted, and a rescue team arrived promptly to assist.

The calf was carefully rescued and transported to the CWRC for an initial health evaluation. Fortunately, the medical check-up confirmed that the calf was in good health, with no visible injuries or signs of illness.

Since the calf was healthy, the priority was to reunite it with its mother and herd as quickly as possible. The team brought the calf to the Veroni corridor—a well-known route used by elephants migrating in and out of the park. Two trained departmental elephants were deployed to help locate the herd.

By around 8:30 AM, the mother elephant responded to the calf’s calls and emerged from the forest. She approached the calf, accepted it, and, along with members of the herd—believed to be immediate family—escorted the young elephant safely back into the park. The operation concluded successfully, with the calf reunited and under its mother's care.

The incident highlights not only the intelligence of elephants and the emotional bonds they share but also the deep understanding and care displayed by India’s forest officials in protecting and preserving wildlife.