Friendship begins for two rescued elephant calves in India

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.

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.