Reported by Laxman sharma
Digboi: The death of 15-month-old elephant calf Lakhimoni in the fringe areas of Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa landscape should not be viewed as just another wildlife tragedy.
It has raised serious questions about the quality of emergency veterinary care for distressed wild animals in Assam and whether sufficient safeguards exist to prevent avoidable errors.
Two differing accounts have emerged in connection with the incident.
On one side, post-mortem and laboratory reports indicate that the calf died due to a severe medical condition. Veterinarians recorded acute constipation, widespread gastrointestinal haemorrhages, liver congestion, swollen lymph nodes, ulcerative lesions in the mouth, and indications of systemic infection.
Laboratory tests conducted at the Advanced Animal Disease Diagnosis Facility at Assam Agricultural University detected the presence of Pseudomonas species in the faecal sample. Together, these findings point to a complex disease process that may have resulted in septicemia.
On the other side, the calf’s owner, Binod Dohutia, has alleged negligence in the treatment given a day before the animal’s death. In a media interaction, he claimed that expired medicines may have been used during a free veterinary camp organised by a wildlife NGO. Local wildlife activists have also called for an impartial probe.
These claims have not been verified. However, they raise broader concerns beyond this case, particularly regarding how medicines, treatment protocols, and clinical decisions are monitored during wildlife care in field conditions.
One issue requiring closer scrutiny is the reported use of a veterinary wound spray containing Gamma Benzene Hexachloride (Lindane), Proflavine Hemisulphate, and Cetrimide.
Product information suggests that the formulation had an expiry date of March 2026, while it was reportedly administered in April 2026.
Even aside from the expiry issue, Lindane-based products are widely considered outdated and controversial in veterinary practice. Lindane is a neurotoxic organochlorine compound that has been banned or heavily restricted in several countries due to its health risks and long-term environmental impact.
It is also classified as a persistent organic pollutant, meaning it can remain in ecosystems for long periods and accumulate in soil and water.
The use of an expired product raises further concerns. Veterinary drugs beyond their expiry date may lose effectiveness, undergo chemical changes, and produce uncertain outcomes. In an already critically ill animal, reduced potency or instability of medication can affect treatment results.
A veterinary officer in Tinsukia district, speaking on condition of anonymity, said government supply systems typically use turpentine-based formulations and ivermectin, administered either orally or by injection depending on clinical needs.
The officer added that these medicines are routinely used in field treatment and that no deaths have been reported in the district when standard veterinary procedures are followed.
Several veterinarians in Assam have described Lindane-based formulations as controversial and noted that safer alternatives are widely available. Modern wildlife treatment practices increasingly rely on substances such as povidone iodine, chlorhexidine, silver sulfadiazine, and ivermectin-based therapies, which are considered safer and more reliable.
The case should not be reduced to a simple question of disease versus negligence. Either factor, or a combination of both, may have contributed to the outcome, or the animal’s condition may have deteriorated independently. This is why a detailed, transparent, and scientific investigation is necessary.
The Assam government’s decision to form a medical committee is a positive step. However, the inquiry must go beyond assigning responsibility. It should examine the medicines used, their validity, the rationale behind treatment decisions, and whether existing wildlife care protocols are adequate.
Assam is home to one of India’s most significant elephant populations. These animals already face increasing pressure from habitat loss, shrinking corridors, and human-elephant conflict. When they fall sick or are injured, every intervention must meet strict professional standards.
Lakhimoni’s death serves as a reminder that compassion alone is not enough. Wildlife healthcare requires strict protocols, evidence-based treatment, and clear accountability.
If this incident leads to stronger oversight, improved training, and updated medical standards, it may result in meaningful reform.