An elephant refused to leave its newborn calf which died soon after the birth on the banks of Beguru stream on Monday.
Even after a day, the mother elephant stood beside the body. It shed tears without consuming any food.
The forest department staff and the rapid response team members tried to drive away the elephant by bursting firecrackers. However, the elephant did not yield and chased them.
During the incident, Tejas (26) sustained injuries after a fall. He has been admitted to a hospital in Sullia, Ponnampet DRFO Diwakar said.
The operation to drive the elephant to the forest has continued.