An elephant gave birth to a calf at the moment of death after being struck by the Rajdhani Express. Forest officials rescued the severely injured elephant calf and took it away. However, the elephant calf could not be saved. It died on Sunday morning.
On Friday night in Assam's Hojai district's Lamding Division, in the Yamunamukh–Kampur section, seven adult elephants died after being struck by the Delhi-bound Sirang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express. Forest officials found a newborn elephant calf at the scene. The calf was immediately taken to the Kaziranga Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre.
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According to forest department sources, the newborn calf's left leg was broken after falling due to the accident. It also vomited blood. Forest department officials said the calf could not withstand the injuries sustained from the impact. It also suffered internal bleeding.
The calf was somehow rescued and taken approximately 100 kilometres away to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) center. The newborn calf could not endure the strain of this long journey to Kaziranga National Park. As a result, additional pressure was placed on its heart.
Dr Bhaskar Choudhury, one of the center's physicians, said that after bringing the severely injured elephant calf, every effort was made to save it. However, the elephant calf died at around 10:15 AM on Sunday.
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According to railway department sources, the Rajdhani Express driver was operating the train at the prescribed speed. When the elephant herd came onto the tracks, it was not visible due to dense fog. After spotting the elephants at the last moment, the driver applied the emergency brakes. However, he could not avoid the collision with the elephants. It was also reported that elephants do not usually cross through the area where the elephant herd had entered the railway tracks.
