A roughly 55-year-old elephant identified for radio collaring in Haridwar died during treatment after its condition deteriorated following darting by a joint expert team on 6 November.

The elephant regularly moved through populated areas and agricultural land. It also entered Haridwar city several times, according to the Forest Department. Officials had marked it for radio collaring because of concerns over possible human-elephant conflict and the upcoming Kumbh Mela-2027.

Emergency treatment after darting

The operation involved senior scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), WWF experts, experienced wildlife veterinarians and Forest Department personnel. The team darted the elephant under expert supervision.

The animal’s condition worsened after it was darted. The team provided oxygen, CPR, reversal medication and intravenous fluids, along with other emergency treatment. Despite these efforts, the elephant could not be saved.

The Forest Department said the entire team made every possible effort to revive the animal.

-mortem findings

An independent veterinary expert committee conducted -mortem examination. It estimated the elephant’s age at about 55 years and identified heart-related problems associated with extreme old age.

The examination found changes including myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyopathy. The Forest Department said these conditions prevented the elephant from tolerating the physical stress that occurred during darting.

The available information does not report any further radio-collaring action involving this elephant after its death.

Conclusion

The elderly elephant died during emergency treatment after being darted for a radio-collaring operation. -mortem attributed the fatal vulnerability to severe age-related cardiac conditions, while the Forest Department said rescuers made every possible effort to save it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How old was the elephant?

The independent veterinary expert committee estimated its age at about 55 years.

Q. Why was the elephant marked for radio collaring?

It frequently moved through populated areas and agricultural land, and had entered Haridwar city several times. Officials were concerned about possible human-elephant conflict and the upcoming Kumbh Mela-2027.

Q. When was the elephant darted?

The joint team darted it on 6 November under expert supervision.

Q. What emergency treatment was provided?

The team administered oxygen, CPR, reversal medication and intravenous fluids, along with other emergency treatment.

Q. What did -mortem find?

The examination found age-related heart problems, including myocardial fibrosis and cardiomyopathy.