The alarming series of elephant deaths continues in central India’s Madhya as a 4-month-old baby elephant, found abandoned and critically ill, succumbed despite round-the-clock medical efforts.

The incident took place at Khariwari Tola, Compartment No. RF 179, Panpatha Buffer Zone, within Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Umaria district on November 8.

Visuals showed a team of rescuers carefully escorts an injured elephant, its massive frame supported by makeshift harnesses. The elephant walks unsteadily, guided by the team’s gentle hands and ropes. A veterinary truck follows closely, carrying medical supplies.

According to reports, Deputy Director of BTR, P.K. Verma, revealed in a press release that the calf was discovered in an unconscious and abandoned state. Veterinary teams promptly attended to the elephant, transferring it to the Rema Elephant Camp in the Tala Range for intensive care.

For three days, the medical team camped on-site, providing continuous treatment. Despite their efforts, the baby elephant passed away at 6:06 AM on Sunday, November 10. The carcass was disposed of following a detailed post-mortem examination conducted under the supervision of senior officials.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing mortality rate among elephants in the reserve. Despite increased monitoring by forest department teams and the state government, the causes behind these deaths remain a significant concern for conservationists and wildlife experts.