Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary: Rescued Baby Elephant ‘Badal’ Wins Hearts in Jamshedpur

Seraikela: ‘Badal,’ the newest and youngest resident of the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in the Chandil sub-division, has captured the hearts of both tourists and forest officials. Rescued from the Porahat forest in Chaibasa (Kolhan region) and brought to the Chandil Wildlife Sanctuary in December 2025, the elephant calf now enhances the charm of Dalma.

Two Mahouts Provide Round-the-Clock Care

The Forest Department has deployed two experienced mahouts to ensure the round-the-clock well-being of the six-month-old calf. Head Mahout Buddhu Singh shared, “We stay with Badal morning, evening, and night. Our responsibilities cover everything from feeding him to giving him his baths.”

Badal Beats the Summer Heat with Multiple Dips a Day

To beat the intense summer heat, Badal plunges into the water three to four times a day. After his bath, he routinely plays with a football and performs various tricks. He even trumpets back in response when the mahouts call out his name, ‘Badal’. His playful antics regularly delight visiting tourists.

Bonding with Visitors and Forest Officials

According to Forest Department officials, Badal has adapted well to his new environment. He shares a warm bond with tourists, forest department officials, and on-ground staff alike. Children, in particular, show immense excitement whenever they spot him.

Shared Home with ‘Rajni’ at Makulakocha Deer Park

Authorities currently house Badal at the Deer Park located near the Makulakocha check post. He shares the enclosure with an older female elephant named ‘Rajni’. Tourists from far and wide are flocking to Dalma just to catch a glimpse of the duo together.

The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Dalma stated, “Badal was extremely weak when we rescued him from the Porahat forest. Today, he is healthy and gaining weight steadily. We are striving to provide him with a natural environment so that we can successfully release him back into the wild in the future.”

Badal has emerged as the biggest attraction for tourists visiting Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.