Elephants swim to safety amidst strong river currents
VIDEO LINK:- https://youtu.be/-8XuvuS4fQs
By:- Sagaya Fernando
Though elephants are adept swimmers, a herd trying to cross the Mahanadi River in Odisha,
India, on October 15, was caught in the strong currents of the river and seen struggling to
stay afloat. After almost a day’s struggle, and human intervention, all of them walked out
safely.
The whole incident was captured on video by the local villagers.
“A herd of seven elephants including two young elephants came out from the Athagarh forest
division in the early morning and were heading towards Chandaka forest across the Mahanadi
River near the Mundali barrage. While the two young elephants turned back into the Athagarh
forest, the remaining five entered the river to cross over and were caught in the strong river
current. While two of them eventually swam to safety around 10.30 am and went back into the
Athagarh forest, three got swept away in the swirling waters,” informed Assistant Conservator
of Forests (City Division) Mohammed Jamil.
He further added, “The forest department was informed about the plight of the elephants by the
local villagers. Taking stock of the situation, it was decided to close four gates of the
barrage to reduce the flow of the water. The three elephants had been swept away almost 15
kilometers downstream. Elephants are excellent swimmers and can keep themselves afloat.
Finally after the water level got reduced, the elephants walked out of the river safely and
entered the Chandaka forest at around 4.30 pm.”
Crossing the river is normal for these pachyderms, but on October 15 the swift currents – as
the Mahanadi River is in spate following cyclone Titli triggered rains – made it a struggling
task for them.
VIDEO LINK:- https://youtu.be/-8XuvuS4fQs
By:- Sagaya Fernando
Though elephants are adept swimmers, a herd trying to cross the Mahanadi River in Odisha, India, on October 15, was caught in the strong currents of the river and seen struggling to
stay afloat. After almost a day’s struggle, and human intervention, all of them walked out
safely.
The whole incident was captured on video by the local villagers.
“A herd of seven elephants including two young elephants came out from the Athagarh forest
division in the early morning and were heading towards Chandaka forest across the Mahanadi
River near the Mundali barrage. While the two young elephants turned back into the Athagarh
forest, the remaining five entered the river to cross over and were caught in the strong river
current. While two of them eventually swam to safety around 10.30 am and went back into the
Athagarh forest, three got swept away in the swirling waters,” informed Assistant Conservator
of Forests (City Division) Mohammed Jamil.
He further added, “The forest department was informed about the plight of the elephants by the
local villagers. Taking stock of the situation, it was decided to close four gates of the
barrage to reduce the flow of the water. The three elephants had been swept away almost 15
kilometers downstream. Elephants are excellent swimmers and can keep themselves afloat.
Finally after the water level got reduced, the elephants walked out of the river safely and
entered the Chandaka forest at around 4.30 pm.”
Crossing the river is normal for these pachyderms, but on October 15 the swift currents – as
the Mahanadi River is in spate following cyclone Titli triggered rains – made it a struggling
task for them.
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