Assam's celebrated patrol elephant Joymala dies

Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah paid tribute to Joymala, one of Kaziranga National Park's most celebrated patrol elephants, following her death after more than three decades of service.

One of Kaziranga National Park's most celebrated patrol elephants, Joymala, died on Saturday night after more than three decades of service to wildlife conservation, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the Assam government and the forest fraternity.

The elephant, which had been undergoing continuous veterinary treatment for nearly a year due to prolonged illness, breathed her last in the Naloni area under the Agoratoli Range of the national park.

Paying an emotional tribute on Sunday, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah described Joymala as one of Kaziranga's "finest jungle warriors" and said her life embodied the silent sacrifices made by patrol elephants that work alongside frontline forest staff to protect the park's globally renowned biodiversity.

During her lifetime, she took part in anti-poaching patrols, wildlife monitoring, rescue operations and routine forest protection duties, becoming an integral part of Kaziranga's conservation efforts.

Joymala was looked after for several years by veteran mahout Satyaban Pegu before her care was later entrusted to mahout Nilakhanta Koch, who continued to tend to her with great affection.

Recalling one of the most defining moments of Joymala's life, Mallabaruah referred to the dramatic 2004 incident in which a stray tiger leapt over the elephant while she was on patrol.

The rare moment, captured on camera, drew international attention and went on to become one of the most iconic photographs associated with Kaziranga, underscoring the courage and composure of the park's patrol elephants and their mahouts.

In recognition of her extraordinary contribution, Kaziranga National Park accorded Joymala a ceremonial Guard of Honour during her last rites.



-Assam Tribune