Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation - India
Near Kaziranga National Park, animals are being threatened by a single highwayFriendship begins for two rescued elephant calves in India
Friendship begins for two rescued elephant calves in India
15 June 2026
At CWRC in India, a newly rescued elephant calf is settling into his new surroundings with help from a young companion whose own rescue story began just a year ago.
A young elephant calf named Gotonga has become the newest resident at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Assam, India, after being rescued when he became separated from his mother.
When rescuers found him, ropes were still wrapped around parts of his body from attempts to keep him from wandering into nearby trenches and wells while help was on the way. Alone and vulnerable, the calf was brought to CWRC, where veterinary staff immediately began providing specialised care and around-the-clock monitoring.
Despite the challenges he faced, Gotonga quickly showed encouraging signs. By the day after his arrival, he was active, alert, and drinking his milk formula well. Weighing 121 kilograms, he was larger than many calves of a similar age, though his physical features suggested he was only around one month old.
For orphaned elephant calves, recovery is about more than medical treatment and nutrition. Young elephants are highly social animals, and companionship plays an important role in helping them feel secure and build confidence.
Fortunately, Gotonga did not have to wait long to find a friend. Just next door was Monikuntal, another young elephant whose own rescue story began a year earlier.
From rescue to recovery
When Monikuntal arrived at CWRC in 2024, he was a vulnerable orphan in need of intensive care and support. Over the past year, dedicated caregivers have provided him with specialised nutrition, veterinary treatment, enrichment, and the opportunity to develop naturally alongside his caretakers.
Since his rescue, he has grown from 97 kilograms to approximately 228 kilograms, a remarkable milestone that reflects both his resilience and the long-term commitment required to rehabilitate orphaned wildlife.
Today, Monikuntal is a confident, playful young elephant. His progress is a powerful reminder that with expert care, time, and support, rescued animals can recover and thrive.
A growing bond
To help Gotonga settle in, caregivers initially housed the two calves in adjacent nursery compartments, allowing them to become familiar through sight, sound, and smell before spending more time together.
The introduction went smoothly. Now, the pair spend much of their day side by side.
Each morning, they head into the forest with their keepers, where they explore their surroundings, play with enrichment toys, splash in streams, and rest in the shade. Gotonga receives milk every three hours to support his growth and development, while the older Monikuntal has gradually transitioned to fewer feeds.
As the days pass, Gotonga continues to gain confidence in his new surroundings, with Monikuntal often nearby.
For the animal care team, watching the relationship develop has been particularly rewarding. Not long ago, Monikuntal was the young calf learning to navigate life without his mother. Today, he is helping another orphaned calf adjust to a new and unfamiliar world.
Monikuntal, the Asian elephant calf at IFAW–WTI’s Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Assam, India, where he is receiving ongoing care and treatment. Photo: © IFAW-WTI
Every rescue matters
At CWRC, operated jointly by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the Assam Forest Department, and IFAW, every rescued elephant receives the individual care needed to recover and grow stronger. Each calf arrives with a unique story and different challenges. Some require urgent medical treatment. Others need nutritional support, behavioural guidance, or simply time to heal.
Gotonga's journey is only just beginning, but his first days at CWRC offer reasons for optimism. Surrounded by experienced caregivers and with a young companion who has already overcome many of the same challenges, he has the opportunity to grow, recover, and build a brighter future.
For supporters of wildlife rescue, his story is also a reminder of what makes this work possible. Every successful rehabilitation begins with a rescue, and every rescue depends on people who believe that vulnerable animals deserve a second chance.
Today, that chance belongs to Gotonga. And alongside him is living proof of what that second chance can become.
Related content
Every problem has a solution, every solution needs support.
The problems we face are urgent, complicated and resistant to change. Real solutions demand creativity, hard work and involvement from people like you.