The scenic Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary looks set for a visit too many from the stork.
At least five elephants are reported to be pregnant, signalling a happy population boom at the jumbo habitat, around 30km from Jamshedpur.
The herds are back to the sanctuary after a brief stay in the jungles of West Midnapore and Bankura in neighbouring Bengal. The gentle giants had left the reserve following water and food scarcity as well as to avoid a tortuous summer.
"The elephants are everywhere inside the sanctuary now. They started returning from Bengal three-four days ago and are enjoying their stay in Dalma," a forest guard said.
The guard, who, along with trackers (village youths employed as daily wagers to keep tabs on animals), is keeping a close watch on the elephants, said there were clear signs of pregnancy in at least five elephants.
"The female elephants have a pregnancy glow, with fuller belly and bigger breasts. These are clear signs that they are carrying calves," the guard said.
Dalma range officer R.P. Singh said they were expecting the good news in some months. "I am not aware about the stage of pregnancy of the elephants, but we can expect good news in months to come."
The current population of Dalma elephants is 152.
With food and water aplenty in the 192sqkm sanctuary, elephants are having a gala time. "Yes, the level at watering holes is satisfactory. Bamboo groves are in abundance," the guard said.
Don, the temperamental jumbo with a broken tusk, is also back. But he is alone and spends most of the time inside the core area of the sanctuary.
The elephants will again hit the migratory route to Bengal in August September. They take the homeward journey in January-March.
"The normal trend of migration is August-September and the return journey is in January-February. But, elephants tend to stay rooted in Bengal when food and water are found in plenty. They generally come back home by February," a forest staff said.