11.12.17

Train mows down 5 elephants in Assam

Five elephants, including a pregnant one, were killed in the early hours of Sunday after a train hit a herd of seven tuskers at a tea garden in Sonitpur district. The incident took place at Bamgaon Tea Estate in the Chariduar police station area near Balipara at 1.30 am.

The herd was trying to cross railway tracks between the Rangapara and Dhalaibil stations when the Guwahati-Naharlagun Intercity Express hit them.

Four female elephants, including a pregnant one, and a male jumbo were killed on the spot. The premature unborn calf came out from its mother’s belly due to the massive impact. Forest officials were trying to locate the other two elephants, which were part of the herd. The dead elephants were cremated after post-mortem examination. Wild elephants often come out of the nearby Nameri National Park for food. In the last couple of days, a herd of around 70 strayed into the area near the accident site.

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