Bullet ridden injured elephant moved villagers

Guwahati, Jul 24 (UNI) A bulletridden elephant and its heart rending cries have shaken the villagers of Takhadung under Kawai beat office of Silinojan Reserve Forest of Karbi Anglong for the last three days.

The report of the tragic incident came from Karbi Anglong jungle today as veterinary specialists from the Animal Rescue Centre of Bokakhat were trying to reach the elephant tomorrow.

According to forest officials from Diphu, the pachyderm was shot at by suspected militants in the rear right leg. ''She was seen limping with the bullet about 25 days back near Letekujan tea estate of adjacent Golaghat district,'' the forest officials said.

After that the elephant vanished into the Karbi Anglong jungles, which is a 3000 square kilometre elephant reserve. The animal resurfaced near the Kawai beat office and when she attempted to drink water she slipped into a ditch three days ago and since then has not been able to come out.

Her heart rendering cries for help in the last 72 hours have shaken people living in the five kilometre radius.

The forest officials were informed but it took till today to formally inform the Animal Rescue Centre, Bokakhart. ''We have got the information from informal channel and we are preparing. We need a formal communication because the tranquilizer gun remains in the custody of the Kaziranga park officials. But tomorrow we are moving anyway,'' said Animal Rescue Centre official Dr Anjan Talukdar.

They will try to treat the elephant in the ditch itself before trying to rescue her.

UNI