Kaziranga National Park on Thursday mourned the loss of Mohanmala, its oldest elephant and a cherished part of the park’s history, who died at 9:40 am due to age-related ailments. She was 85.

Mohanmala arrived at Kaziranga on May 17, 1970, gifted by the late forest officer Durga Prasad Neog to strengthen the park’s protection and patrolling. Over the years, she played a key role in anti-poaching patrols, tourist safaris, and flood-time rescues.

According to Forest Range Officer Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Gogoi, she gave birth to two calves during her lifetime—one killed in a tiger attack in infancy, and the other dying suddenly during duty near Haladhibari.

Her final moments

Veterinary Officer Sourav Borgohain said Mohanmala had been retired for over a decade and had been receiving continuous medical care since January for a prolonged illness. “We were there when she passed away. She was standing, then suddenly sat down, lay down, and within moments, she was gone,” he recalled.

Veterinary experts, including Dr. Bhupen Sharma, Dr. Kushal Sharma, Dr. Biswajit Baruah, and Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury, had treated her extensively, performing surgery that extended her life. Borgohain confirmed she passed away peacefully, without pain.

A respected colleague & a heroic escape

Park authorities, forest staff, and veterinarians gathered to pay their respects. “She was not just the oldest elephant in Kaziranga, but a respected member of our team,” said forest officer Jayanta Das.

In a statement, the park recalled her courage and loyalty, citing a remarkable incident with her mahout, Kiran Rabha.

One winter morning, while patrolling near Mihimukh beel with her calf Malati, Mohanmala faced an aggressive charge from a wild elephant. In a swift act of protection, she carried her mahout and guided Malati into the deep waters of the beel, swimming to the far bank to evade danger. She returned to camp weeks later with her calf unharmed.

A legacy remembered

“With her passing, Kaziranga has lost not just a member, but a loyal colleague, a flood-time saviour, and a symbol of courage and devotion,” the park authority stated. “Her decades of service will remain etched in the park’s history, and her absence will be deeply felt by all who worked alongside her.”

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