Newborn elephant calf battles for life after train accident in Assam

A newborn wild elephant calf, believed to be just two to three days old, is battling for survival after sustaining critical lung injuries in a train accident in Assam’s Nagaon district under Lumding division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The calf, which has shown no signs of being able to walk, was with its mother at the time of the incident and suffered severe internal injuries.
 

The accident occurred at around 7.30 am on December 20, when a passenger train hit a herd of elephants crossing the railway tracks in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section of the district. Seven elephants were killed in the collision, while the injured calf was rescued and shifted for emergency veterinary treatment.
 

Forest officials said the calf suffered severe lung injuries and a fractured leg and remains in critical condition. It has been admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre at Panbari in Bokakhat, where a team of experienced veterinarians is providing intensive medical care.
 

Expressing grief over the incident, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government was deeply saddened by the loss of wildlife. In a statement shared on social media, he said he had directed the Forest Department to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident.
 

The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to strengthen protection measures along wildlife corridors, particularly during periods of low visibility, when such accidents are more likely to occur.
 

The accident site is located approximately 126 kilometres from Guwahati, a stretch known for frequent elephant movement across railway tracks. Conservationists have repeatedly flagged the area as a vulnerable zone, calling for speed restrictions and enhanced monitoring to prevent such tragedies.