A female elephant was hit by a speeding passenger train (Interlink Express) coming from Tinsukia heading to Mariani at Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam (India). A herd of elephants were crossing the railway track at 7:30pm on the 15th of July when the speeding train knocked down a female elephant which was crossing between the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary to Ranchi village line. Authorities confirmed that the train paralysed the limbs of the animal. With constant support by authorities and many at the rescue process, the animal was lifted by a JCB machine and taken on a truck to be moved to Kaziranga National Park under the supervision of Kaziranga Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre who provided with treatment and mentioned that the state of the animal was very critical. It was reported by sources that the elephant died on the way to Kaziranga.

Appropriate action need to be taken by authorities on reducing the speed of trains when they are crossing through animal corridors. The Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary corridor has become a danger zone for elephants as every year many accidents are reported. The Indian Elephant has been declared a ”National Heritage Animal” of India and steps need to be taken quickly to safeguard the last remaining species left in the wild.

Wild Navigator thanks Mr. Debashish Neog of Assam Company Ltd in providing pictures and details of the incident.