Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): ‘Vatsala’, ‘longest living’ female elephant, passed away in Panna Tiger Reserve following prolonged illness on Tuesday. The tusker is believed to be more than 100 years old and the longest surviving Jumbo in the world.
Earlier, the forest officials had even attempted to get her name included in Guinness World Record as longest surviving jumbo but her name could not be registered as her birth certificate was not available.
Interacting with Free Press, Panna Tiger Reserve field director Anjana Suchita informed that ‘Vatsala’ was not keeping well from some time and had eye sight issues as well. She was even struggling to walk. Forest team had stopped engaging Vatsala in patrolling work.
On Tuesday, Vatsala was brought to Karaiya Nala for a bath but she fell down after suffering damage to one of her nails. All kinds of efforts were made to help her stand again but to no avail. She later passed away.
No birth record of the Jumbo
There is no exact record of the birth of Vatsala. However it is learnt that she was captured in Kerala in 1972. Afterwards, she was brought to Hoshangabad division where she served for some time.
Later in 1993 she was brought to Panna Tiger Reserve and since then she had been residing there and became most loveable Jumbo. A pall of gloom has descended upon Panna Tiger Reserve following the death of Vatsala.
