A 35-year-old wild elephant, critically injured by a speeding train in Tripura’s Khowai district, succumbed to its injuries late Monday night, officials said on Tuesday.
Despite the best efforts of doctors from the state veterinary hospital, the animal could not be saved. “The jumbo succumbed to its injuries late Monday night, despite intensive medical care,” a senior forest official confirmed.
On Tuesday, three veterinary doctors, in the presence of forest and wildlife officials, conducted a postmortem before the elephant was buried.
The Tripura Forest Department filed an FIR with the Government Railway Police in Teliamura and lodged a formal complaint with the Northeast Frontier Railway’s Divisional Manager in Lumding. The department accused the railway authorities of negligence, stating that the train was traveling at an estimated speed of 50 km/h -- far exceeding the 20 km/h limit designated for elephant corridors in the area.
The incident occurred Saturday night when a local train traveling from Agartala to Dharmanagar struck the elephant in the Shalbagan area under the Teliamura Forest Division. Both of the elephant's hind legs were fractured, leaving it immobile. Forest officials arranged for medical treatment from Sunday, but the injuries proved fatal.
This is not the first such incident. A similar tragedy occurred in February when another elephant was killed by a train in the same designated corridor. Forest officials emphasized that Saturday’s incident could have been prevented if the train adhered to the stipulated speed limit.
Wildlife experts expressed alarm over such recurring incidents. Elephants are classified as Schedule-I animals under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022, recognizing them as endangered species deserving the highest level of protection. As India’s National Heritage Animal, they command both respect and conservation priority.
Experts advocate for stronger safety measures in designated elephant corridors. This includes mapping out critical routes and collaborating with stakeholders such as the Railways, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), district administrations, and state public works departments.
“These measures are essential to prevent such tragedies and ensure the coexistence of infrastructure and wildlife,” one expert emphasized.
Over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras offering medicines at 50-90 pc lower prices daily: Nadda
Over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country are offering medicines at 50-90 per cent lower prices daily, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Jan Aushadhi Diwas on Friday.
Centre aims to reduce road accidents by 50 pc in 2030, next-gen safety must: Gadkari
Speaking at the two-day ‘Global Road Infratech Summit and Expo (GRIS); in the national capital, the minister observed that most of the road accidents that happen in the country are due to poor civil engineering practices in road design, construction, and management and improper road signages and marking systems.
US Supreme Court rejects Tahawwur Rana's extradition stay request
The US Supreme Court has rejected a plea by 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana, seeking a stay on his extradition to India to face trial
PM Modi on two-day visit to Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Gujarat from today, to launch several projects
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will begin his two-day visit to the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Gujarat on Friday, where he will launch several developmental projects.
EAM Jaishankar visits General Post Office Museum, interacts with former PM Leo Varadkar in Dublin
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar began his visit to Ireland from the iconic General Post Office Museum, Trinity College and interacted with Irish leaders such as former PM Leo Varadkar.
Trump delays some tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month
US President Donald Trump has signed executive actions that delay for nearly one month tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada that are covered by the USMCA free trade treaty, a significant walkback of the administration's signature economic plan that has rattled markets, businesses and consumers.
EAM Jaishankar calls on Ireland President Michael Higgins, discusses role of culture in strengthening nationhood
External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, has called on Irish President Michael D Higgins, marking the beginning of his visit to Ireland where he is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his Irish counterpart.
US, Ukraine to hold peace talks in Saudi Arabia next week, says Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ahead of diplomatic-level talks later in the week with US officials.