'Krishna' Laid To Rest In Orang; Investigation Underway
The preliminary findings indicate cardiac arrest as the cause of death of Krishna: BV Sandeep, DFO, Mangaldai Wildlife Division
Riki Das
Updated: 17-Nov-19 @ 20:16
'Krishna' – the fully grown rough elephant, who died in captivity, was laid to rest near the training centre in the Orang National Park as per the standard wildlife practices in the afternoon on November 17th, 2019.
Speaking to the media persons, the Divisional Forest Officer of the Mangaldai Wildlife Division, BV Sandeep said, "The preliminary findings indicate cardiac arrest as the cause of death. However, the detailed post mortem report is awaited."
A team led by Sootea legislature Padma Hazarika captured and tranquilized Krishna, earlier nicknamed Laden by the locals, on November 11th, 2019 at Kanyakuchi Reserve Forest, Rangjuli Range. On November 13th, 2019, the forest officials brought the male elephant, which killed five people in a single night in Western Assam's Goalpara district October 29th this year, to the Orang National Park for training.
The DFO further said, "The elephant, which was found injured prior to capture, was in constant observation and good care and had started responding well to the Mahouts. He had its normal intake of food and showed normal behaviour, and was also lightly fed at 4 am and 5 am."
Expressing his deep sorrow, Hazarika wrote in a Facebook post, "I am hurt with the news of Krishna's death. It is very unfortunate. We rescued the people of the district from a prolonged problem by capturing the elephant. But, we failed to train him to use as a property of the forest department. The cause of death can be said once the post mortem is completed."
The post-mortem of the elephant was done by a team of doctors including KK Sauna, Head, Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Science; PK Roy, Dalgaon, Assistant Veterinary Officer, Mangaldoi; Parikshit Kakati, Senior Program Officer, WWF, India and Panchami Sharma, Vet Pathologist, Assam State Zoo.
Photo credit: @hazarikapadmaHome
17-Nov-19 @ 20:16