Daltonganj: A nilgai calf rescued from Kundri range of the Medininagar forest division has been released in Garu range of Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), forest officials said on Wednesday.According to officials, PTR is not a natural habitat for nilgai, but it was considered the safest available forest area for rehabilitating the abandoned animal. The calf was initially mistaken for a deer fawn when it was found.The animal was rescued by villager Chandan Kumar, who spotted it roaming with his cattle and brought it home.“The villager did a noble job by protecting the calf from a pack of village dogs,” said forester-in-charge Pramode Kumar.Officials said the calf was believed to have become separated from its mother while mingling with grazing cattle in forested areas.Forest personnel said divisional forest officer Satyam Kumar took immediate note of the calf’s condition and directed officials to ensure its care and rehabilitation.“We have instructed forest teams to respond quickly whenever abandoned wildlife is reported. Our teams are also trying to trace the mother of the nilgai calf,” Satyam said.
