Digboi: The death of a 13-month-old elephant calf shortly after attending a health check-up camp in Assam’s Tinsukia district has raised questions over the role and functioning of a visiting NGO.
The male calf died on April 19 at Powai Dirok village under the Saikhowa Forest Range in the Doomdooma Forest Division. The camp had been organised by Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the forest department.
Forest officials said the carcass was disposed of on Monday following a post-mortem examination, the report of which is awaited.
The calf’s owner and caretaker said the animal had no prior history of illness. A forest department staff member also indicated that there was no record of any ailment in the division.
However, the caretaker alleged negligence, claiming that expired medicines and multiple injections administered during the camp may have led to the calf’s death. These allegations remain unverified.
The NGO, reportedly based in Mathura, has since come under scrutiny, with local residents and activists questioning its credentials and operations in the district.
Wildlife activist Devajit Moran called for a thorough probe and accountability. In a social media post, he alleged that an outdated vial of medicine had been used on the calf and questioned the NGO’s reported departure without completing scheduled camps in Kakopather, Khatangpani, Torani village, Kakojan and Tokowani village No. 2.
Speaking to the media, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Doomdooma, said the NGO operated in two phases—from March 18 to 21 and April 18 to 21, providing treatment to captive elephants at the request of their owners.
“We only facilitated logistical support. The doctors and treatment machinery were entirely from the NGO,” the official said, adding that the second phase could not be completed following the calf’s death.
The timeline of the NGO’s movement has also raised questions. While the second phase was scheduled to begin on April 18, reports suggest the team was present in Dhulijan under the Digboi Forest Division on April 15.
Sources said the team attended to an elephant whose tusks were sawed off by poachers without formal requisition from either the Doomdooma or Digboi forest divisions, prompting concerns over authorisation of the intervention.
Activists have also flagged the issue of tusk removal, noting that cutting ivory from a live elephant requires specialised expertise and sedation. They have called for a detailed and impartial investigation into both incidents.
Authorities are yet to issue a conclusive statement. The post-mortem report is awaited to determine the exact cause of the calf’s death.