A wild elephant calf injured in the train accident that killed seven elephants in Assam’s Nagaon district has died, officials said on December 21.
The calf, believed to be only two to three days old, died at the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre in Panbari near Bokakhat, where veterinarians had been treating it since Friday. Despite continuous medical attention, the animal failed to recover from its injuries.
The accident took place around 7.30 am on December 20 when a passenger train hit a herd of elephants while they were crossing the railway tracks between Jamunamukh and Kampur under the Lumding division of the Northeast Frontier Railway. The calf, which was travelling with its mother, suffered serious lung injuries and a fractured leg and had been unable to stand after the collision, officials said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed sorrow over the incident and directed the Forest Department to conduct a detailed inquiry. He also emphasised the need to strengthen safety measures along known wildlife corridors, especially during low-visibility hours.
The site of the accident, about 126 km from Guwahati, lies in a stretch frequently used by elephant herds to cross the railway line. Conservationists have repeatedly flagged the area as accident-prone and called for stricter speed restrictions and better monitoring.
Wildlife experts noted that such accidents often occur as elephants move between fragmented forest patches, with railway tracks cutting across their traditional paths. The latest deaths have once again highlighted the growing concern over rail-wildlife conflict in Assam.