Agartala, May 31: In a tragic incident, a wild elephant was killed by a lightning strike at Dokkhaikami under South Maharani ADC village in the Mungiakami RD Block of Tripura. The incident came to light early Friday morning when locals discovered the carcass and promptly alerted elephant-watcher volunteers deployed by the Forest Department.
Responding swiftly, forest officials from the Teliamura and Mungiakami ranges rushed to the spot. The Forest Department also summoned a veterinary team from the Teliamura Animal Hospital to determine the cause of death.
The veterinary team, led by Assistant Director Dr. Bishwabharti Debbarma and comprising Dr. Srijan Debbarma, Dr. Maltina Debbarma, and Dr. Abhishek Pal, conducted a post-mortem examination of the carcass. By afternoon, the team confirmed that the elephant, a four-year-old female, had died due to a lightning strike.
Following the examination, forest officials arranged for an excavator to dig a grave at the site, where the carcass was respectfully buried as per protocol.
This marks the fourth wild elephant death in and around the South Maharani area over the past 18 months, local sources reported. Previous cases involved various causes including natural events and human-wildlife conflict.
The Forest Department has expressed concern over the recurring deaths of elephants in the region and is expected to review its monitoring and safety protocols for wild animals, especially during extreme weather conditions.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of wildlife in the face of natural disasters and calls for heightened awareness and preparedness to protect endangered species in forested regions.
