'Let Mangal Singh live': Activists seek Kaziranga treatment for injured tusker

Wildlife activists and members of civil society have levelled serious allegations against the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Digboi Forest Division, claiming that permission to shift an ailing domestic elephant to Kaziranga for advanced treatment has been withheld despite veterinary recommendations.

The allegations were made during a press conference addressed by Samiran Hatimuria, a relative of elephant owner Sanjay Dwarah and a member of Aranyam Animal Care and Plan Pizar Veshvan Center, an organisation involved in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

The elephant, named Mangal Singh, suffered a brutal attack on April 14 when unidentified miscreants allegedly hacked off both its tusks while it was still alive in the Lakhipathar Reserve Forest area. Four months after the incident, the main accused have reportedly not been arrested.

According to Hatimuria, the elephant has been undergoing treatment under the supervision of a veterinary team led by Dr. Nayanjyoti Bordoloi and Dr. Arindam Pachoni of Margherita Veterinary Hospital. Mangal Singh is currently receiving treatment at Ketetong Hospital.

He said the attending veterinarians have recommended shifting the elephant to Kaziranga for specialised treatment. However, he alleged that Digboi DFO Rohini Kumar Das has not granted the necessary permission, preventing the transfer.

Hatimuria criticised what he described as the Forest Department's indifference and urged authorities to immediately facilitate the elephant's transfer so it can receive advanced medical care.

He also said that due to financial hardship, the elephant's owner, Sanjay Dwarah, was unable to continue bearing the treatment expenses and had entrusted the responsibility to him.

The activists appealed to the Forest Department to make the necessary arrangements at the earliest to save the elephant.

India Today NE attempted to contact officials of the Digboi Forest Division for their response to the allegations. However, they could not be reached at the time of filing this report.