Latest news with #Vatsala
The Star
5 days ago
- General
- The Star
‘Oldest' elephant in captivity dies
An emotional loss for many: Vatsala was believed to have been born in the forests of Nilambur, Kerala, in the late 1910s. — The Straits Times/ANN Vatsala, thought to be the world's oldest elephant in captivity, has died at a wildlife sanctuary in India's Madhya Pradesh state. She was believed to be more than 100 years old when she died on Tuesday, though there are no records proving that as a fact. The Guinness World Record holder for oldest elephant in captivity is still Lin Wang. He died at a zoo in Taiwan in 2003 at the age of 86 and had served with the British Army in World War II. Dakshyani – another elephant in India – had also been in the running for the title. She died in captivity in 2019, and her supporters said she managed to reach the ripe old age of 88. But as far as the state government of Madhya Pradesh is concerned, Vatsala surpassed both – all three were Asian elephants – by about 20 years. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, in a post on X, said: 'The century-long companionship of Vatsala came to a pause. She was not merely an elephant; she was the silent guardian, a friend to generations and a symbol of Madhya Pradesh's emotions.' If she indeed reached the century mark, she would have lived through the Great Depression, WWII, the Cold War and 18 American presidents. Elephants on average live for about 50 to 70 years. Wildlife experts say that by the age of 70, elephants typically lose their tusks. Vatsala had been without tusks since 2000. She was believed to have been born in the late 1910s in the forests of Nilambur, Kerala. She was brought to Narmadapuram city in Madhya Pradesh in 1971 to haul timber. Going by Indian officials and wildlife experts' estimates, she was already in her 50s then. In 1993, Vatsala was moved to the Panna Tiger Reserve, where she helped rangers track tigers. She retired in 2003. The years that followed saw her play the role of 'Dadi Maa' (grandmother in Hindi) to young elephants and calves at an elephant sanctuary, where she became a top tourist attraction. 'She had a motherly nature. I saw her lovingly caress and guide the young ones as if they were her own. 'Her death is an emotional loss for the reserve staff and others who knew her,' wildlife conservationist Rajesh Dixit said. 'It is sad that her name could not be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.' Vatsala slipped into a drain and suffered injuries a few days prior to her death. She was given round-the-clock medical care and a special fruit-and-porridge diet, but her condition deteriorated. Vatsala was cremated at the Hinauta elephant camp, which had been her home for decades. — The Straits Times/ANN
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Asia's oldest elephant Vatsala dies at 100 leaving behind a century of legacy in Panna
Vatsala, a tuskless female elephant believed to be Asia's oldest elephant, died on Wednesday at the Panna Tiger Reserve in central India. Her death has left forest officials, local villagers, and wildlife lovers in mourning, as she was affectionately known as the matriarch and 'grandmother' of the elephant herd. Vatsala's remarkable longevity was a testament to the care she received and the strong bonds between elephants and humans in Indian wildlife sanctuaries. Her passing marks the end of an era and serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional connections that thrive in conservation landscapes. Asia's oldest elephant early life and journey to Madhya Pradesh Vatsala was originally from the Nilambur Forest Division in Kerala, a southern Indian state known for its dense forests and rich biodiversity. During her early years, she was employed in carrying forest produce—a common role for elephants in India's forest-based communities. In 1972, she was relocated to Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India, where she would spend the rest of her life. Later, in 1993, she was moved to the Panna Tiger Reserve, an area primarily known for its tiger population but which also hosts elephants among other wildlife. Source: X How Asia's oldest elephant became a symbol of strength and motherhood in the wild In Panna, Vatsala was affectionately called 'Dadi,' meaning grandmother in Hindi, a testament to her respected position among staff and fellow elephants. Despite retiring from active work in 2004, she remained an integral figure in the camp. Caretakers viewed her not just as an old elephant but as a source of wisdom and calmness. She played a key role in the social structure of the herd, often standing by younger elephants during stressful times such as childbirth, much like a midwife offering emotional support. Vatsala's long life was marked by notable challenges. She survived two violent mating attempts by a male elephant named Ram Bahadur in 2003 and 2008. These attacks were aggressive and life-threatening; one resulted in torn intestines and required over 200 stitches, necessitating a long nine-month recovery period. Despite these hardships, she demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength. She never bore calves herself but became a surrogate maternal figure to many elephants in the reserve. Oldest elephant Vatsala 's final days were marked by love and loyalty For three decades, Vatsala was cared for by her mahout, Maniram Gond, who described her as a gentle and patient creature. Even as she lost her sight in later years, her recognition and trust in her mahout remained strong. Gond recounted how Vatsala would respond promptly when called by name, lifting her trunk in acknowledgment—a touching display of the bond between elephant and caretaker. This relationship underscores the deep connection humans can share with wild animals when approached with care and respect. In her final years, Vatsala experienced blindness and digestive ailments, common conditions among elderly elephants. The caretakers adapted to her needs by hand-feeding her porridge and assisting her mobility within the camp. On Wednesday afternoon, she collapsed near a forest drain close to the Hinauta Elephant Camp. Despite urgent veterinary efforts, she passed away peacefully at around 1:30 PM. Her body was cremated at the camp, in keeping with the respect she was accorded throughout her life. Vatsala's century-long life highlights rare longevity among Asian elephants Asian elephants typically live about 60 years in the wild, although those in captivity or protected reserves may live longer due to veterinary care and absence of natural predators. Vatsala's estimated age of over 100 years is extraordinary, nearly twice the average lifespan, and highlights her exceptional status. Unfortunately, due to missing documentation from her early years, official recognition like a Guinness World Record could not be granted. Nevertheless, her life stands as a remarkable example of elephant longevity and resilience. Vatsala's story unfolds against the backdrop of the broader challenges faced by Asian elephants in India. Classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these majestic animals confront threats such as habitat fragmentation, shrinking forest areas, and increasing human-elephant conflicts. India is home to more than 27,000 wild elephants—over half of the global population—but their future is uncertain without sustained conservation efforts. The loss of an iconic figure like Vatsala is a poignant reminder of both the beauty and vulnerability of these creatures. Also Read | Scientists discovered bone-digesting cells in Burmese pythons revealing how they turn prey into pure nutrition
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
‘She was our pride': Asia's oldest elephant dies at 100
Vatsala, a 100-year-old tuskless female elephant believed to be Asia 's oldest, passed away in India 's Panna Tiger Reserve on Wednesday. Affectionately known as Dadi - meaning 'grandmother' - by staff and caretakers, Vatsala spent the last three decades of her life at the reserve in Madhya Pradesh. She died after collapsing near the Hinauta Elephant Camp, despite efforts by veterinarians and forest rangers, having suffered from blindness and digestive issues in her final years. Vatsala was revered as a natural matriarch, guiding younger elephants and comforting them during illness or deliveries, despite never having had calves of her own. Her exceptional age, well beyond the typical elephant lifespan, prompted widespread mourning from forest officials and villagers, and her body was cremated at the camp.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Asia's oldest elephant, lovingly called ‘grandma', dies at 100
A 100-year-old elephant, said to be Asia's oldest, died in a central Indian wildlife reserve on Wednesday, prompting a wave of mourning from forest officials, villagers and animal lovers. Vatsala, a tuskless female, spent the last three decades of her life in the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh state where she was affectionately referred to as Dadi, meaning grandmother, by staff and caretakers. She collapsed near a forest drain close to the Hinauta Elephant Camp on Wednesday afternoon, forest officials said. Despite efforts by veterinarians and forest rangers, Vatsala died at around 1.30pm, NDTV reported. Originally from Kerala's Nilambur Forest Division, she spent her early years transporting forest produce. Vatsala was relocated to Madhya Pradesh in 1972 and moved to Panna in 1993. She was retired from duty in 2004, but continued to play a vital role in the camp. 'She was our pride,' Panna field director Anjana Suchita Tirkey told Indian media. 'She led the herd with dignity. During deliveries, it was Vatsala who stood close, like an experienced midwife, giving strength and calm. She wasn't just the oldest – she was the soul of our elephant family.' With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Vatsala, >100-old matriarch of Panna Tiger Reserve. Her gentle presence inspired awe in all who met her. Thank you, Vatsala, for countless rescue operations & nurturing many Elephant calves. Your legacy lives on. 🐘🙏 — Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) July 8, 2025 Maniram Gond, her mahout for 30 years, told The Times of India that Vatsala never got angry. 'She was like a grandmother,' he said. 'Even in her last years, when she was fully blind, she'd lift her trunk the moment I called her name.' Vatsala never mated, Mr Gond told the daily. She survived two violent attacks in 2003 and 2008 by a male elephant named Ram Bahadur who wanted to mate with her. The first left her with torn intestines and required more than 200 stitches. She recovered after nine months of treatment. Although she had no calves of her own, staff said she acted as a natural matriarch to younger elephants in the camp, often walking beside them or comforting them during illness or deliveries. In her final years, she was blind and suffered from digestive issues. Caretakers hand-fed her porridge and helped her move around the camp. Her body was cremated at the Hinauta camp, her final home. No official Guinness World Record could be issued due to missing documentation from her early years, but forest officials estimated she was well over 100. Asian elephants typically live up to 60 years in the wild and while individuals in captivity might live longer with access to veterinary care, Vatsala's age was exceptional. Elephants, listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, are protected in India under the Wildlife Protection Act. The South Asian nation is home to more than 27,000 wild elephants, representing over 50 per cent of the Asian elephant population. Their habitat is shrinking, however, and human-elephant conflict remains a major concern.
The Independent
5 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Asia's oldest elephant, lovingly called ‘grandma', dies at 100
A 100-year-old elephant, said to be Asia 's oldest, died in a central Indian wildlife reserve on Wednesday, prompting a wave of mourning from forest officials, villagers and animal lovers. Vatsala, a tuskless female, spent the last three decades of her life in the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh state where she was affectionately referred to as Dadi, meaning grandmother, by staff and caretakers. She collapsed near a forest drain close to the Hinauta Elephant Camp on Wednesday afternoon, forest officials said. Despite efforts by veterinarians and forest rangers, Vatsala died at around 1.30pm, NDTV reported. Originally from Kerala 's Nilambur Forest Division, she spent her early years transporting forest produce. Vatsala was relocated to Madhya Pradesh in 1972 and moved to Panna in 1993. She was retired from duty in 2004, but continued to play a vital role in the camp. 'She was our pride,' Panna field director Anjana Suchita Tirkey told Indian media. 'She led the herd with dignity. During deliveries, it was Vatsala who stood close, like an experienced midwife, giving strength and calm. She wasn't just the oldest – she was the soul of our elephant family.' Maniram Gond, her mahout for 30 years, told The Times of India that Vatsala never got angry. 'She was like a grandmother,' he said. 'Even in her last years, when she was fully blind, she'd lift her trunk the moment I called her name.' Vatsala never mated, Mr Gond told the daily. She survived two violent attacks in 2003 and 2008 by a male elephant named Ram Bahadur who wanted to mate with her. The first left her with torn intestines and required more than 200 stitches. She recovered after nine months of treatment. Although she had no calves of her own, staff said she acted as a natural matriarch to younger elephants in the camp, often walking beside them or comforting them during illness or deliveries. In her final years, she was blind and suffered from digestive issues. Caretakers hand-fed her porridge and helped her move around the camp. Her body was cremated at the Hinauta camp, her final home. No official Guinness World Record could be issued due to missing documentation from her early years, but forest officials estimated she was well over 100. Asian elephants typically live up to 60 years in the wild and while individuals in captivity might live longer with access to veterinary care, Vatsala's age was exceptional. Elephants, listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, are protected in India under the Wildlife Protection Act. The South Asian nation is home to more than 27,000 wild elephants, representing over 50 per cent of the Asian elephant population. Their habitat is shrinking, however, and human-elephant conflict remains a major concern.
