2 weeks ago
Mourning Elephant Captured After 48-Hour Vigil at Companion's Death Site
An elephant named Bharat lost its longtime companion after the companion touched a live wire.
Bharat stayed near the place where the companion died.
It even stayed beside the body overnight and tried to wake it.
Forest officials removed the body for an examination.
Bharat returned and would not leave the area.
Officials used four trained elephants to help capture it safely.
The rescue took about 48 hours.
Bharat was then taken to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
Bharat, a 14-year-old tusker, stayed near its companion’s death site for about 48 hours.
The companion died on Saturday after stepping on a live electrical wire in Rewa district.
Forest officials said Bharat spent the night beside the body and tried to wake it.
Four elephants from Bandhavgarh and Sanjay tiger reserves helped with the rescue operation.
Bharat was captured on Tuesday and taken to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
- Who
- Bharat, a 14-year-old tusker, and forest officials involved in the rescue.
- What
- Bharat was captured after refusing to leave the site where its companion died.
- Where
- Near Bartollha under Malakpur in Madhya Pradesh’s Rewa district; Bharat was taken to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
- When
- The companion died on Saturday, and Bharat was captured on Tuesday after a 48-hour rescue operation.
- Why
- Bharat remained at the site after its companion died from electrocution and refused to move away.
Key facts
- Elephant
- Bharat, a 14-year-old tusker fitted with a radio collar.
- Companion’s death
- The companion died after stepping on a live wire.
- Vigil
- Bharat stayed at the death site for about 48 hours.
- Rescue team
- Four elephants, two each from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Sanjay Tiger Reserve, assisted officials.
- Rescue duration
- The operation lasted 48 hours.
- Outcome
- Bharat was captured on Tuesday and taken to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.
- Companionship
- The two elephants had moved together in the forests for seven months.
Quotes
Lokesh Nirpura
Rewa divisional forest officer who described the rescue and transfer.
“The slain elephant was very calm and composed and has no record of harming any person or damaging properties, whereas Bharat is naughty. Many times, the slain elephant was seen pacifying Bharat dissuading it from making any mischief when they were moving together”
deccanchronicle.com
“The elephant was rescued and taken to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Related news
Wild Elephant Found Dead Near Allegedly Energised Fence
Wild Elephant Dies After Contact With Live Fence in Latehar
Wild Elephant Kills Bengaluru Walker; ₹20 Lakh Aid Announced
Tyre Removed From Wild Elephant’s Neck in Assam
Elephant Calf Dies After Contact With Electric Farm Fence
Bengaluru Elephant Attack Raises Concerns Over Habitat Loss
Custom-Designed Bird Guards End Power Failures, Protect Vindhya Wildlife
WII Begins Three-Year Study as MP Elephant Population Nears 100
Authorities Debunk Viral Leopard Attack Video as AI-Generated Fake
Madhya Pradesh Gains Resident Wild Elephants After Century
