Reported by Laxman Sharma
Digboi: The Assam Forest Department has ordered an inquiry into the death of a 13-month-old elephant calf in upper Assam, with Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Dibrugarh, Nandha Kumar (IFS), leading the investigation.
The calf, named Lakhimani, died on April 18 in the Kumsang Reserved Forest in Tinsukia district, a day after it had been treated at a veterinary camp organised in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh-based NGO Wildlife SOS and facilitated by the Doomdooma Forest Division.
Officials said the inquiry, ordered by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), is examining treatment protocols, drugs administered, the qualifications of personnel involved, and whether due permissions and standard operating procedures were followed in handling a Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The DFO said preliminary groundwork, including site visits and document collection, has been completed, and the investigation is now entering a critical phase with data analysis underway.
Authorities said the probe would draw on field evidence, media reports and digital inputs before arriving at a conclusion.
Meanwhile, allegations have surfaced from local residents, including members of the Moran community, who claimed that the calf may have been administered an expired injection during the camp. The claims are yet to be verified.
Wildlife conservationist Devajit Moran also raised concerns over what he described as procedural lapses, alleging that the same NGO had earlier treated another elephant in Digboi Division without permission following a separate incident. He questioned the absence of certain diagnostic procedures during treatment.
Local residents have accused the NGO of negligence and demanded accountability, as well as government intervention and compensation. They also claimed that no veterinary department officials were involved in the camp.
In response, Wildlife SOS said the camp was conducted in coordination with the Forest Department and in accordance with standard veterinary practices. The organisation denied any wrongdoing and said it would cooperate with the inquiry.
Forest officials said the exact cause of the calf’s death would be determined only after post-mortem and veterinary reports are analysed.
The incident has also drawn attention due to reports that the calf’s mother has been in visible distress since the death, adding to concerns among local residents.
