A tragic incident occurred in Tripura’s Khowai district on Friday morning when a four-year-old female wild elephant was found dead in the forests of Dukhipara under the Teliamura sub-division. Forest officials have confirmed that the elephant was killed by a lightning strike during a thunderstorm.
The discovery of the elephant’s carcass was made around 11 AM by elephant volunteers who were on routine duty despite the inclement weather. They immediately notified the forest authorities, who then dispatched Pranajit Saha, Range Officer of the Mungiakami Range under Teliamura Forest Division, to the site along with his team. Veterinary experts also arrived to conduct an on-site post-mortem examination.
“Preliminary findings from the veterinary team suggest that the elephant died due to a lightning strike during today’s early morning thunderstorm,” said Saha. He noted visible signs of burns on the elephant’s body, consistent with a lightning-related fatality. The forest department has followed all necessary protocols, including documentation and conducting a post-mortem examination. Once all legal and departmental formalities are completed, the carcass will be disposed of in accordance with forest conservation guidelines.
This unfortunate incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of wildlife to extreme weather conditions, which are becoming more frequent in the region. The Forest Department has urged locals and wildlife volunteers to remain vigilant during adverse weather and report any similar occurrences immediately. Authorities are also considering setting up additional shelter zones in elephant corridors to help protect the animals during such natural calamities.
The incident in Tripura comes amidst a series of weather-related disasters in the Northeast region, including floods, landslides, and heavy rains in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. The public has been advised to exercise caution and stay alert during these challenging weather conditions.
