Coimbatore: A six-month-old female elephant calf that strayed into Viraliyur in Narasipuram area of Thondamuthur on Friday was captured by forest officials and taken to Vandalur Zoo.

The calf that ventured into a trench was left behind by its herd on Thursday morning

A team of forest officials, Conservator of Forests, Coimbatore Circle, R. Kannan and District Forest Officer I. Anwardeen deputed a team led by Forest Veterinarian N.S. Manoharan and Range Officer Selviah Vijayakumar.

The team tried to lead the calf on to its herd’s track, hoping that it could reunite with its mother. However, on Thursday the calf struggled to find its mother and on Friday morning officials, with the help of villagers, captured the calf. The calf was sent to the Vandalur Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai.

Captivity was the only option, officials said