Reported by Laxman Sharma
Digboi: The death of 15-month-old elephant calf Lakhimoni has triggered conflicting claims, with post-mortem and laboratory findings pointing to severe disease and infection, even as the owner and local residents alleged negligence and improper treatment at a free veterinary camp.
The calf died on April 19 in the Kumsong Reserved Forest under the Doomdooma Forest Division in Assam’s Tinsukia district, shortly after undergoing treatment at a free veterinary camp conducted on April 18 in the Talap and Kumsong forest ranges. The camp was reportedly organised by Uttar Pradesh-based NGO Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the Doomdooma Forest Division.
Speaking to reporters a day after the calf’s death, owner Binod Dohutia alleged that the treatment administered during the camp was improper. He further claimed that expired injections had been used.
Local residents and members of the Moran community, who share deep cultural ties with elephants, had also expressed concern following the incident and demanded a thorough inquiry into the circumstances leading to the calf’s death.
The allegations, however, contrast with post-mortem and clinical findings suggesting that the calf suffered from multiple internal complications linked to disease and infection.
According to veterinary officials, the calf had been examined and treated at the camp after exhibiting signs of severe distress, including acute constipation and ulcerative lesions on the tongue. Despite treatment, its condition deteriorated rapidly and it died within 24 hours.
The post-mortem examination was conducted on April 20 following a requisition from the Range Forest Officer of Saikhowa Range.
The necropsy ruled out external trauma, with no wounds or puncture marks detected on the body. Internal examination, however, revealed severe pathological changes, including dark discolouration of the tongue and mucosal surfaces, indicating circulatory failure.
Veterinary findings also pointed to extensive lesions in the digestive system. The stomach was found empty, suggesting prolonged anorexia prior to death, while petechial haemorrhages were observed across the stomach lining, mesentery and intestines, indicating widespread internal damage.
The liver showed signs of congestion and the mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged, suggesting systemic inflammation. The rectum was packed with hardened faecal matter, confirming severe constipation and intestinal impaction.
Laboratory analysis conducted at the Advanced Animal Disease Diagnosis Facility of Assam Agricultural University isolated Pseudomonas species from faecal samples. No other pathogens were detected during microscopic examination.
The incident triggered concern among elephant owners in the region, with some residents alleging that the calf may have reacted adversely to treatment administered during the camp. Wildlife conservationist Devajit Moran and the All Moran Students’ Union had earlier sought an impartial investigation and raised concerns over the conduct of such veterinary interventions.
Amid growing public concern, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Assam, Vinay Gupta, told Northeast Now on Thursday that a medical team had been constituted to re-examine the case in light of the post-mortem and laboratory findings. He said the committee would undertake a comprehensive review before arriving at a final conclusion on the cause of death.
Copies of the post-mortem report have been forwarded to the concerned veterinary and forest departments for further examination.