Wild elephant found dead in Assam’s Jagiroad, two bullet marks on head raise poaching suspicion

A wild elephant was found dead at Shilchang in Jagiroad, Assam, with two apparent bullet marks on its head, raising suspicion of a possible poaching incident.

According to preliminary information, the elephant had reportedly ventured out of the Kholahat forest area in search of food when the incident occurred. Suspected poachers from Meghalaya are believed to have shot the animal, although the circumstances surrounding its death are yet to be established.

Forest Department officials and a team of veterinarians have reached the spot. The department is awaiting the post-mortem report to determine the precise cause of death and ascertain whether further legal action is warranted.

Assam is home to one of the largest wild elephant populations in the country. According to the latest All-India Synchronous Elephant Estimation (SAIEE) DNA-based census, the state has an estimated 4,159 wild elephants, the second-highest population in India after Karnataka. A separate enumeration conducted by the Assam Forest Department recorded 5,828 elephants.

Despite the significant elephant population, human-elephant conflict remains a major challenge in the state. Official data presented in the Assam Assembly shows that at least 1,147 people and 246 elephants have lost their lives in conflict-related incidents across Assam over the past decade.