Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment Eshwar Khandre has instructed officials to name a newborn hippopotamus calf housed at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), after late veterinarian Sameeksha Reddy.

Sameeksha, 27, a veterinary officer under training, died after she suffered serious injuries following an attack by a hippopotamus at Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari in Shivamogga in April.

Expressing happiness over the birth of the calf to the 17-year-old hippopotamus named Dashya at BBP, Mr. Khandre said the previous calf born to the same animal had died due to an infection.

Mr. Khandre while visiting Sameeksha’s bereaved family to offer condolences had proposed naming a newborn wild animal in her memory.