Archive · 13 Dec 2025
Odisha Recovers Iconic Elephant Ramu's Skeleton
The forest department in Odisha is carefully digging up the bones of Ramu, a famous elephant who lived in the Chandaka–Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary.
Ramu was very old and well-known in the area.
After he died from a suspected electric shock, the department decided to preserve his skeleton scientifically.
They are taking the bones to a special place near Bhubaneswar to clean and protect them.
This will help people learn about elephants and their importance in the forest.
A team of experts, led by a zoologist, is making sure the bones are dug up safely and without damage.
Ramu was also the first elephant they tried to put a tracking device on, which didn't work.
The preserved skeleton will be used to teach future generations about elephants and their role in the environment.
The Odisha forest department has started recovering the skeletal remains of Ramu, an iconic elephant from the Chandaka–Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary.
Ramu's skeleton is being carefully exhumed from the Bharatpur forest and will be transported to Godibari Prakriti Nivas for scientific conservation.
The initiative aims to honor Ramu's legacy and use his preserved skeleton for educational and conservation purposes.
A specialized team led by zoologist Shiva Prasad Parida is overseeing the excavation to ensure the bones are safely retrieved and preserved.
Ramu, the oldest and largest male elephant in the sanctuary, died on August 19, 2024, from a suspected electric shock.
- Who
- Odisha forest department and a specialized expert team led by zoologist Shiva Prasad Parida
- What
- Recovery and scientific preservation of the skeletal remains of Ramu, an iconic elephant
- When
- The process began on a Saturday in 2024 (exact date not specified)
- Where
- Bharatpur forest area within the Chandaka–Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha
- Why
- To honor Ramu's legacy, use the preserved skeleton for education, awareness, and conservation purposes
- Location
- Bharatpur forest, Chandaka–Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha
- Initiative
- Scientific preservation of Ramu's skeleton
- Expert Team
- Led by zoologist Shiva Prasad Parida
- Preservation Site
- Godibari Prakriti Nivas near Bhubaneswar
- Significance
- Oldest and largest male elephant in the sanctuary
- Cause of Death
- Suspected electric shock
- Date of Death
- August 19, 2024