Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Flood-Rescued Elephant Joymoti Airlifted to Vantara for Urgent Care
Joymoti is a 53-year-old elephant who was carried away by floodwater in Nagaland in July.
People from nearby communities and government workers helped rescue her.
She had many painful wounds and a badly damaged right eye.
An older broken leg also makes it hard for her to walk and find food and water.
Local teams gave her basic medicine and cleaned her wounds.
She was taken by airplane to Vantara, a specialised elephant hospital in Jamnagar.
Flying made the long trip shorter and less tiring for her injured body.
Doctors there will examine her and provide special food, medicine and care.
The trip is for treatment, and she is expected to return to her natural habitat if she becomes fit to travel.
Joymoti, a 53-year-old female elephant, was swept away by floods in Nagaland during July and later rescued.
She suffered multiple wounds, a severe right-eye injury and a maggot-infested wound near her external genital area.
An old logging-related fracture has left her lame in the left hind leg, affecting mobility and access to food and water.
After receiving local first aid, she was airlifted to Vantara in Jamnagar for specialised veterinary treatment.
Reports differ on whether the airlift was underway or completed, but all describe the transfer as temporary medical care.
- Who
- Joymoti, a 53-year-old female elephant, assisted by local communities, government agencies and veterinary teams.
- What
- She was rescued from floods and airlifted to Vantara for specialised treatment of multiple injuries and health complications.
- When
- She was swept away during the second week of July; reports differ on whether the airlift was underway or had been completed.
- Where
- She was rescued in Nagaland and transferred to Vantara in Jamnagar; some reports also mention floods in Assam.
- Why
- Her serious wounds, damaged eye, advanced age and longstanding mobility problems require specialised veterinary care while limiting the strain of ground travel.
- Animal
- Joymoti, a 53-year-old female elephant.
- Rescue
- She was swept away by floodwaters in Nagaland during the second week of July and rescued with help from local communities and government agencies.
- Reported injuries
- Wounds affected her forehead, right ear, the area above her tail, left inner thigh, abdomen and external genital area.
- Eye condition
- Her right eye is severely damaged, leaving her blind in that eye with persistent tearing.
- Mobility condition
- A fracture sustained during logging caused longstanding lameness in her left hind leg.
- Initial treatment
- Local care included wound dressing, pain medication, multivitamin and mineral supplements and supportive treatment.
- Medical transfer
- She was airlifted, or reported as being airlifted, to Vantara in Jamnagar for specialised hospital care; the transfer is not permanent.
- Proposed facilities
- Vantara has proposed three wildlife veterinary care centres in Assam, including a dedicated elephant facility, to operate independently under the Assam Forest Department.
Sources
Flood-Rescued Elephant Joymoti Airlifted To Vantara For Specialised Hospital Care
Joymoti Arrives at Vantara for Urgent Medical Care Following Flood Rescue
Flood survivor elephant ‘Joymoti’ airlifted from Northeast to Vantara for treatment
Joymoti Arrives at Vantara for Urgent Medical Care Following Flood Rescue in Nagaland
