Elephants facing anthropogenic hazards in Assam

Elephants in Assam are increasingly facing threats caused by human activities. Recently, a female elephant had its trunk caught in a wire-mesh snare near the Raimona National Park in western Assam. Earlier, a sub-adult elephant was freed from a truck tyre around its neck, which was found on a tea estate in eastern Assam's Golaghat district. Officials from Golaghat Forest Division and a team from the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) worked together to rescue the struggling elephant.

On another occasion, an elephant calf was discovered trapped in a muddy trench at Seconee Tea Estate near Kaziranga. The young elephant, estimated to be 4-6 weeks old, was guided by its herd to try to free itself from the trench. Local tea garden workers and villagers informed the authorities of the Kaziranga National Park. A CWRC team was dispatched to assist with the rescue.

The calf, dehydrated and suffering from severe muscular exhaustion, was taken to the nearest forest beat office for veterinary care. It received fluids to help it recover. The team waited for the elephant to return to its herd to search for the calf, but it was eventually admitted to the CWRC for rehabilitation. This calf, along with 10 others currently under care at the center, is a testament to the teamwork between local communities, forest officials, and wildlife experts.

While the primary focus remains on the calf's return to the wild herd, the rehabilitation provides it with a second chance at life.