In a dramatic event in the Tipukhola area of Kurseong forest, two elephants fought fiercely, resulting in the death of one. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon and has raised concerns among forest officials.
The elephant that died was a 30-year-old Makna elephant, a male without tusks. According to forest officials, the Makna likely died from injuries caused during a fight with a tusked male elephant. The fight is believed to have been sparked by a territorial dispute, a common cause of conflict among elephants. The tusked elephant's strength and tusks gave it an advantage, leading to the Makna’s fatal injuries.
When the body was discovered, forest officials from the Bagdogra range immediately contacted the elephant squad. Veterinarians were brought in to examine the body, and the deceased elephant was given its final rites according to protocol. Senior officials from the state forest department have been notified, and an investigation is ongoing.
Devesh Pandey, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Kurseong, confirmed the incident. He explained, "A tusked elephant attacked and killed the Makna during a fight. We're investigating the situation, and the tusked elephant is being closely monitored. Forest officials are also keeping a watch on the area to avoid further incidents."
The DFO emphasised that such fights are natural in the wild, often occurring over dominance, territory, or mating rights. This behavior is particularly common during "musth," a period when male elephants experience heightened aggression due to increased testosterone levels.
This incident has brought attention to the challenges wildlife conservationists face in managing the complex behavior of elephants. Forest officials are continuing to monitor the tusked elephant to ensure the safety of both the animal and the surrounding wildlife.
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