kaziranga-s-oldest-forest-dept-elephant-mohanmala-passes-away

Kaziranga National Park has lost one of its most enduring symbols of courage and service, with the death of Mohanmala, the oldest forest department elephant, who had served the UNESCO World Heritage site for over five decades.

 

Estimated to be about 80 years old, Mohanmala died on Thursday at Mihimukh in the park’s central range, succumbing to age-related ailments. Forest officials, frontline staff, and her long-time mahout, Kiran Rabha, gathered to perform her last rites and pay final tributes.

 

Brought from Kamrup to Kaziranga on May 17, 1970, Mohanmala became an inseparable part of the park’s conservation history. She retired from active duties in 2003 and has since been drawing a government pension for her years of service.

 

Known for her fearlessness, obedience, and gentle temperament, she was an exceptional swimmer and a reliable partner during Assam’s annual floods. When even frontline forest staff could not reach their camps by boat, it was Mohanmala who carried them across swelling waters, ensuring that anti-poaching patrols and rescue efforts never ceased.

 

“She served across different ranges of Kaziranga and played an active role in anti-poaching operations, fearlessly aiding the staff in the most difficult terrains and situations,” officials said.

Also read: India marks Int'l Tiger Day with Kaziranga’s tally rising to 148

 

Her personal story was marked by both service and loss. She gave birth to two female calves, Malati, who died at the age of 17, and another calf who was killed by a tiger just three days after birth.

 

“With her death, Kaziranga National Park has lost not just an elephant, but a trusted colleague, a flood-time saviour, and a symbol of loyalty and courage. 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,” an official said.

 

Kaziranga, home to the world’s largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros, relies heavily on trained elephants for patrolling dense grasslands, assisting in rescue operations during floods, and supporting anti-poaching units. Mohanmala’s passing, park officials say, marks the end of an era when such elephants served as the backbone of its frontline defence.