By Monica Verma | Officer in Charge
A second chance at life is a rare and precious gift, offering hope where there once seemed none. It’s an opportunity to overcome hardships and embrace the potential for not just survival, but healing and growth. Whether for a person or an animal, a second chance brings with it the possibility of transformation. It reminds us that, no matter how dire the situation may seem, with compassion and support, a new beginning is always within reach.
The orphaned animal babies at our rescue and rehabilitation center, CWRC in Kaziranga, Assam, are given this precious second chance. Without their mothers to protect them, they rely on our support and compassion to survive. As infants, they are sheltered, nurtured, and cared for at their most vulnerable stage. Nothing brings us greater joy than watching them grow into independent, wild beings, reclaiming their rightful place in nature.
During this year’s floods in Kaziranga, we rescued three displaced and injured elephants—two adults and one infant. While the adults received adequate veterinary care and were released back into the wild, the infant, a male, was brought to CWRC for long-term rehabilitation after unsuccessful attempts to reunite him with his mother.
Here are a few glimpses of the baby boy, who now joins six other calves at CWRC undergoing rehabilitation.
Before bringing elephant calves to CWRC for long-term rehabilitation, we make sure they are truly abandoned and orphaned. Reuniting them with their mother and herd is always our top priority. Young elephants depend on their mother for over 2-3 years and need the herd’s protection and guidance to survive. Without this support, orphaned calves die of starvation or fall prey to predators.
During the reporting period, we brought one calf to CWRC after reunion attempts failed, but we successfully reunited another with its mother, reaffirming our commitment to prioritizing reunions whenever possible.
One lone elephant calf, just a few months old, was discovered on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Kaziranga National Park, Assam. Realizing the calf was separated from its mother and herd, the team quickly ensured its safety, providing temporary shelter near the rescue site. Using a drone, the surrounding area was scanned, and a herd of six adult elephants and 4-5 calves was located 8 km from the rescue site.
The calf was carefully transported to the herd's location and gently released nearby under the team’s watchful eyes. Upon spotting the herd, the calf rushed toward them, resulting in a heart-warming and successful reunion.
Elephant calves often get separated from their herds for various reasons, such as accidental falls into trenches, illness, or the mother’s death due to poaching, electrocution, or other reasons. In this case, the reason for the separation remains a mystery to us. But as they say, all’s well that ends well.
Every successful rescue and rehabilitation at CWRC is a testament to the combined efforts of our dedicated team and the unwavering support of our donors. Your compassion allows these vulnerable animals to have a second chance at life, to grow strong, and reclaim their place in the wild where they truly belong. The journey from rescue to release is filled with challenges, but with your help, we are able to turn moments of crisis into stories of hope and survival.
We sincerely thank you for standing with us and for being an integral part of these incredible stories of recovery. Your support not only saves lives but also strengthens our commitment to preserving nature’s delicate balance. Together, we can continue to provide a brighter, safer future for all the animals that rely on our care.
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By Monica Verma | Officer in Charge
By Monica Verma | Project Leader
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