TEZPUR, July 12 - A sizeable section of the common people here, besides various nature organisations and environmentalists have expressed strong resentment over the sudden death of the stranded two-year-old elephant calf which was successfully rescued on Sunday night from a wetland near Koliabhumura Bridge under Bhumuraguri Forest Beat Office.
Noted environmentalist and wildlife activist Saurabh Barkataki, who extended full cooperation to the rescue team from the very beginning, expressed surprise and anguish over the unfortunate incident. He felt that the untimely death of the rescued elephant calf might have been a result of drug overdose.
It may be mentioned here that after strenuous effort by a forest team, the elephant calf was finally rescued and subsequently sent to the Kaziranga Rescue Centre for further care. Though the elephant calf was sedated, full care was given thereafter, as the rescue team was accompanied by veterinarians too.
However, Barkataki, who has considerable experience in wildlife rescue and conservation, alleged that though the ill-fated elephant calf was reportedly out of danger after reaching Kaziranga Rescue Centre, it probably died due to anaesthesia overdose, which, however, is yet to be officially confirmed.
Ruminating over the rescue operation, Barkataki felt that the traumatised elephant calf could have perhaps been captured even without being tranquilised as its was relatively calm during the entire rescue process.
Demanding an inquiry into the matter, the noted environmentalist urged the Forest Department to take lessons from the tragic incident so as to deal more effectively in similar cases in the days to come.
