Guwahati: Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) bid farewell on Thursday to one of its most iconic residents, ‘Mohanmala’, the park’s oldest elephant and last matriarch, estimated to be between 70 and 80 years old.
KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said a ‘Shraddhanjali’ sabha was held at Mihimukh in the park’s central range, where officials performed her last rites. Mohanmala, part of the Kohora Range, had been with Kaziranga since 17 May 1970, when she was brought from Kamrup during the tenure of then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Durga Prasad Neog.
For over five decades, she played a vital role in the park’s operations, known for her fearlessness, obedience and calm temperament. An excellent swimmer, she was a lifeline during the annual floods, carrying staff to otherwise unreachable camps and ensuring patrolling continued even in the most challenging conditions.
Mohanmala served across different ranges, assisting in anti-poaching operations and navigating difficult terrains. She gave birth to two female calves, Malati, who died at 17, and another who was killed by a tiger three days after birth. She retired from active duty in 2003.
One of the most memorable accounts of her courage came from her head mahout, Kiran Rabha. While patrolling near Mihibeel one winter morning with her calf Malati, Mohanmala was charged by a wild bull elephant. In a split-second decision, she plunged into the wetland, guiding Malati and ferrying Rabha to safety across the water before disappearing into the forest. A month later, she returned to camp with her calf, unharmed, a testament to her resilience and protective instinct.
With her passing, Kaziranga has lost not just a working member, but a trusted colleague, a flood-time savior, and a symbol of loyalty and courage, Ghosh said, adding that her decades of service would remain etched in the park’s history.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to India’s ‘Big Five’, 2,613 Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses (2022 census), 104 Bengal Tigers (2022), 1,228 Asian Elephants (2024), 2,565 Wild Water Buffaloes (2022) and 1,129 Eastern Swamp Deer (2022).