Assam: Elephant calf found dead in Torani Reserve Forest, tiger attack suspected

Forest officials have recovered the carcass of a two-month-old wild elephant calf in the Torani Reserve Forest area under the Khatangpani Forest Range in Assam. The discovery was made on Monday, December 1 during a routine patrol by forest personnel.

According to officials, a large herd of wild elephants had recently moved into the forest from Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, straying into nearby villages including Naloni, Duwarmora, Torani, and Kathalguri, where they reportedly damaged paddy fields. Amid this movement, the young calf is believed to have accidentally fallen into a deep ditch under the Dolongajan culvert on the Pengeri–Phillobari connecting road and was unable to climb out.

The calf died at the spot, and when the patrol team located the carcass, they noticed severe injuries to the hind portion of the body. Initial observations suggest that a tiger may have fed on the carcass post-mortem.

A veterinary team has reached the location and initiated a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death and the possibility of predator involvement. Forest authorities have increased monitoring in the area to track elephant movement and prevent further human-wildlife conflict.