An elephant calf was rescued from Mezigaon, Parkup, along the Nagaon-Karbi Anglong border last night by members of Green Guard Nature Organization and the Forest Department after much drama due to superstitious belief of the villagers. After receiving information that the abandoned calf, seen wandering aimlesslly throughout the day, had been taken to the village, forest personnel led by the Beat Officer, Chapanala, Pranab Bora and Dulu Bora of Green Guard reached Mezigaon. But on reaching the village they had to deal with an unprecedented situation where one lady and one young man were 'possessed' and claimed the calf was an 'devi' incarnate come to protect them. The two 'possessed' went hysterical, screaming and threatening the team, while most of the villagers ran away in fear. Some feigned to be unconscious, others bowed down in prayer and lit incense sticks. The poor calf, tired and frightened, lay down and went to sleep, but the 'possessed' wouldn't even let it rest. This went on for hours as other forest staff and members of Green Guard arrived. Finally, after an offering of money and liquor, the villagers relented and let the team take away the baby elephant. The calf was gently lifted onto a mini-truck and was transported to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation at Kaziranga.
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