Controversy over elephant carcass in Dihing Patkai National Park (DPNP)

OUR CORRESPONDENT

TINSUKIA: After stench emanating from the carcass of a captive logging elephant that died due to bullet injury in Dihing Patkai National Park (DPNP) in a crossfire on July 19, the activists locked horns with the forest department over the disposal of the carcass within the national park area. The park officials claimed that above-ground or surface burial allowing carcass to decompose naturally facilitates a healthy recycle of wildlife into the ecosystem.

In absence of any SOP from MoEF & CC (Project Elephant Division) or carcass management plan in dealing with such cases unlike mortalities due to Anthrax or suspected cases of Anthrax, the perception of natural forest ecosystem prevails unless diseased, said a senior forest official. His statement was corroborated by a renowned State elephant expert who stated that the captive elephants which are used for domestic purposes or logging are usually healthy and free from serious diseases allying to the fear of the activists who contended that surface burial may pose public sensitivities.

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