Guwahati: A 25-year-old female wild elephant injured by a wire snare has been rescued and treated in a joint operation by the Assam Forest Department and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) near Raimona National Park.
The elephant, which was found accompanied by its calf, was first spotted on September 1 near the Daogen Gonthong anti-poaching camp along the India-Bhutan border. Forest guards began tracking the animal after noticing the injury, allowing officials to plan an intervention without putting the elephant or the rescue team at risk.
The animal was located again near the camp on September 7, following which a joint veterinary team was deployed to carry out the rescue and treatment operation.
The elephant was chemically immobilized so that veterinarians could safely examine the injury. Officials found that a tightly embedded wire snare had caused a deep wound to its trunk, resulting in extensive soft-tissue damage and a pus-filled infection.
Veterinarians carefully removed the wire and treated the affected area. The procedure included cleaning the wound, removing damaged tissue, applying antiseptic dressing and providing further wound care. The treatment was completed in around 30 minutes.
Once the procedure was finished, the elephant was safely released back into the forest. Forest officials will continue monitoring the animal to assess its recovery and ensure that the injury does not lead to further complications.
Wildlife Trust India said the operation required careful planning, as locating and treating an injured wild elephant in forest terrain can be challenging. Divisional Forest Officer Mustafizur Ali Ahmed praised the forest staff and veterinary team for their prompt response and successful treatment.
Snare traps are widely regarded as dangerous hunting devices. They can cause deep cuts, tissue damage and other serious injuries, while animals caught in them may suffer for prolonged periods or die if they are unable to escape or receive timely medical attention.
The successful rescue highlights the importance of anti-poaching patrols and rapid veterinary intervention in protecting wildlife along Assam's forest and border regions.
