From Delulu to Maya; Union Minister names rescued elephant calf at Kodanad Sanctuary

Perumbavoor: If the heroine of the Malayalam film Sarvam Maya was named "Delulu" by its director, the female elephant calf at the Kodanad Sanctuary has now been named "Maya" by a Union Minister.

The calf was found by the Forest Department when it was just a day old. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh said the name "Maya" was fitting for the elephant calf, which made a remarkable return to life against all odds. "Delulu" is the Gen Z version of the English word "delusion," which carries the meaning of "maya" or illusion.

The minister named the calf during his visit to the Forest Department-run Kodanad Kaprikkad Sanctuary.

The elephant calf was found separated from a herd of wild elephants near the sanctuary on April 18, 2025. It is being housed in a specially prepared enclosure adjacent to the sanctuary's veterinary clinic. Banana juice forms its main diet. Since the calf never had the opportunity to drink its mother's milk, it was initially fed milk powder. It has since been raised on multigrain powder and health supplements.

Its daily routine includes an hour-long walk and a bath in a specially prepared pool. The calf celebrated its first birthday in April this year. The minister spent considerable time with the young elephant and praised the Forest Department doctors and staff for their dedicated care.

During his visit to the sanctuary, the minister also met elephants named Asha, Anjana, Sunita, Parvathi, Hariprasad, Abhimanyu and Peelaandi Chandru.

Chief Forest Conservator Dr. R. Adalarasan, Malayattoor DFO P. Karthik, ACF Jyothish Ozhakkal and Range Forest Officer Rasheed welcomed the Union Minister.