Raigarh. The death of a wild elephant (Makhana) in the Behramar complex of Chhal range under Dharamjaigarh Forest Division has occurred due to old age and wounds in various places of the body.
Giving information, Forest Officer Dharamjaigarh said that a male elephant (Makhana), whose age was about 60 years, was ill for the last two months. The said Makhana elephant had wounds in various places of his body such as all four legs, upper abdominal part, strong part, from which pus was continuously coming out. The said Makhana elephant was treated by wildlife doctors on the instructions of senior officials in Kartala forest range of Korba forest division on 19 December 2024. After treatment, it was being continuously monitored by the forest department and necessary medicines were being given as per the advice of wildlife doctors. The said elephant had entered Chhal forest range, Dharamjaigarh forest division from Kartala forest range, Korba forest division on 2 January 2025. In the Chhal forest area also, medicines were being given continuously as per the advice of wildlife doctors. The elephant was being continuously monitored by elephant trekkers, elephant friend team, regional forest workers/officials. Due to which its health was showing improvement, but after a few days, its health started deteriorating. On 29 and 30 January 2025, a decrease in the activity of Makhana elephant was observed and it was staying at the same place for about 10-12 hours a day. As per the instructions of the senior officials of the Forest Department and wildlife doctors, 02 Kumki elephants were brought from Elephant Relief and Rehabilitation Center Ramkola Surajpur District on 30 January 2025 to take help in better treatment of the said elephant. Thereafter, the said elephant was being treated with the help of Kumki elephants by the committee of wildlife doctors in the forest division. During the treatment, the elephant sat at one place and started taking deep breaths. At the same time, after examination by wildlife doctors, Makhana elephant was declared dead at around 4 pm. Due to it being evening, the work of dissection of the body was not possible. Forest guards were put on duty to take care of the body safely. On 01 February, the safe body was dissected by a team of district level veterinarians at 9 am in the presence of Divisional Forest Officer, Deputy Divisional Forest Officer Dharamjaigarh, Forest Range Officer Chhal and forest officials and the viscera was taken for examination of the necessary organs. After dissection, Makhana elephant was found to be dead due to old age and serious wounds in various parts of the body. Thereafter, the body was buried by digging a pit as per rituals. Further action is being taken in the case. Forest Division Dharamjaigarh is an elephant affected area, for which continuous tracking and monitoring of elephants is being done.
