Brutal killing of wild elephant exposes presence of poaching racket

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, January 20, 2025

A brutal killing of a wild elephant in Kalyanpur subdivision triggered speculations over the presence of an organized gang of poachers in the forest areas of the state, particularly in the state’s most eco-sensitive elephant corridor located in Khowai district. According to locals and forest department officials, the incident acted as an uncanny reminder of a similar incident that occurred in 2014. Even then the investigation failed to unmask the real perpetrators and it met with a dead end. The horrific incident came to light in the dense forests of Tui Rupa Chhara in Promod Nagar, under the Kalyanpur Forest Division. The forest dwellers discovered a mutilated and decomposing carcass of a wild elephant. On receiving the information, authorities rushed to the site. A team comprising senior police officials and forest department officers conducted a preliminary investigation, followed by a post-mortem examination. Initial findings of the scientific investigation suggest that the elephant was brutally killed with gunshots to its head, after which its head and a rear leg were partially severed. Forest officials suspect that a gang of dreaded poachers targeted the tusker for the tusks which are extremely valuable in the black market. Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Gaurav R. Wagh said that a thorough investigation is underway and assured that every effort will be made to identify and apprehend the culprits. Veterinary expert Dr. Keshab Debnath said, “Approximately 400 to 500 kilograms of the elephant's flesh had been removed from its body. Additionally, the tail and the tusks are also missing.” Debnath further stated that it was an gruesome act. A similar case was reported in 2014 in the dense forests of Uttar Maharani Pur. Carcass of a wild tusker was found almost in the similar condition.