DOZEN ELEPHANTS LEFT TRIPURA FOREVER

 Report by Bhanu Chanda from Kadam Tala (news), 16.02.24

From Tripura through Assam, a dozen elephants have been sent to Gujarat via the national highway. On February 16th, as part of wildlife conservation efforts, a dozen elephants were sent from Tripura to Ahmedabad, Gujarat, via the Assam highway. Under tight security arrangements, the elephants crossed the Tripura state border into Assam at Churaibari, arriving at Patharkandi forest range office, where forest ranger Sanjay Ahir checked their transit permits and medical documents.

He informed the reporters that in the first stage, seven elephants and in the second stage, another five have been released through the state, with the aim of their destination being determined. This process involved examining transit permits and medical records for the elephants. Tripura forest workers also assisted in this effort.

Contrary to the belief, these elephants are not wild, they all are domesticated. Among the various-aged elephants, there are eleven females and only one male. Presently, people are not keen on keeping elephants anymore. Therefore, they willingly handed over the elephants to the Tripura state government's wildlife department. These elephants have been collected from various places in Tripura and have distinct names such as Hiralal, Lakshmi, Kanchanmala, Rajmala, Manidwipa, Phulmati, and others. They will be taken care of by a trust in Gujarat. However, wildlife workers have not received any feedback on this matter yet.