On 22/5, the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve announced the rescue of a baby elephant that had fallen into a pit in Ma Da forest.
Earlier, on the morning of 13/5, local residents working in a mango orchard in sub-area 130 (allocated forest land) in Tri An ward spotted a herd of elephants. Upon inspection, they found a baby elephant had fallen into a pit about 3 meters deep and immediately reported it to forest rangers.
Suoi Trau Forest Ranger Station secured the area to prevent the elephant herd from returning and hindering rescue efforts. They mobilized an excavator and a tractor to dig a ramp. About three hours later, the elephant climbed out on its own and returned to the forest in stable condition.
According to the Reserve, the pit was filled after the incident. They continue to organize patrols, monitor the elephant's activities, and track its rejoining the herd.
A year prior, a herd of about 7 wild elephants appeared in sub-area 160. While moving, a baby elephant fell into a well nearly 2 meters wide and 3,5 meters deep. Forest rangers approached to rescue it, but the herd remained around the well, kicking dirt down, attempting to save the calf. After several hours, the herd left the scene, and when the rescue team reached the well, the elephant had died.
Dong Nai province is home to about 24 wild elephants in the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve and Cat Tien National Park. The province has built 70 km of electric fences to prevent elephants from entering residential areas.
Phuoc Tuan
