Elephant dies of leg injury in Nambor-Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary

A Correspondent

NUMALIGARH: Almost two months ago, a female elephant was seen roaming in Nambor-Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary. It was observed that she had grave injuries in one of her front legs. A team of veterinarians from CWRC (Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation) of Kaziranga located the elephant near Bijulee reserve forest and provided required medical treatment on March 31.

After tranquillizing the elephant, senior veterinarian of CWRC, Dr Samsul Ali completed the medical procedure. The veterinarian said that the bones of the front leg on the right side of the elephant were broken and hence the elephant could not walk properly. The elephant was kept under surveillance and the foresters of Golaghat forest division were providing oral medication to the elephant since then.

On Friday night, the elephant was reported to be seen at a place near Bukhial Tea Estate. The elephant collapsed and could not move. After being informed, a team of foresters of Bukhial forest beat rushed to the spot. But unfortunately, the elephant died before any assistance could reach. In the early hours of Saturday, Dr Samsul Ali and his team from CWRC Kaziranga reached the spot and completed the post-mortem. Hundreds of local people came to pay homage to the elephant by lighting earthen lamps and incense sticks near the carcass. After completing all the formal procedures, the carcass was disposed off at the location with the help of an excavator. As per information provided by Dr Samsul Ali, the female elephant was about 30-35 years old and the cause of death might be septicemia, caused by infection from her fractured limb.