Nainital: Gomati, a much-appreciated and well-trained elephant of Corbett National Park, passed away on Monday. She had played a crucial role in successfully rescuing several tigers in the Corbett landscape. The staff of the national park paid tributes to the cow elephant before laying her to rest. Gomti was retired from her services last year in the month of October and she was given an emotional farewell by the Corbett officials and staff.
Corbett Director Saket Badola stated that the 66-year-old Gomati had been unwell since October 4 in the Dhikala area of the park. She was then brought to the elephant center in the Kalagarh range, where Senior Veterinary Officer Dr. Dushyant Sharma supervised her treatment. Unfortunately, she succumbed to age-related issues on Monday.
Forest officials paid respects to their beloved elephant
The 66-year-old elephant was recently transferred from the Dhikala range to the elephant shelter in the Kalagarh range, where she had been dealing with health issues for an extended period. Under the care of Senior Veterinary Officer Dr. Dushyant Sharma, she was receiving treatment, but sadly, Gomti breathed her last on October 14, 2024, at 10:30 am. Corbett Deputy Director Rahul Mishra, Dr. Sharma, and others paid their respects to the beloved pachyderm before her body was laid to rest.
Postmortem was conducted respectfully in the presence of departmental officials
Following Gomti’s death, a respectful postmortem was conducted in the presence of departmental officials, veterinary officers, and representatives of local NGOs. Samples of Gomti’s viscera and internal organs have been sent to IVRI (Izatnagar, Bareilly) and WII (Dehradun) for examination. Deputy Director Mr. Rahul Mishra, Senior Veterinary Officer Dr. Rahul Sati, Forest Range Officer Mr. Manish Kumar, and local NGO members were present during the postmortem process.
Gomti was an expert in tasks like patrolling, rescue operations and protecting the forest department staff
Departmental elephant Gomti dedicated most of her life to serving the forest department. For 48 years, she worked across various ranges of Corbett Tiger Reserve, taking on important roles such as patrolling, rescue operations, and protecting forest department staff. Known for her patience and perseverance, Gomti was a familiar presence during patrols and rescues. Dr. Saket Badola, Field Director of Corbett Tiger Reserve, expressed deep grief over her passing, emphasizing that Gomti’s contribution is unforgettable.
Appreciation of the contribution of the departmental elephant
The death of departmental elephant Gomti is a significant loss for the forest department. Despite her age, she actively served, earning a special place in the hearts of the Corbett Tiger Reserve staff and local people. Gomti’s unparalleled contributions to wildlife conservation and departmental activities will always be remembered.
