Kaziranga National Park Mourns the Loss of Beloved Patrol Elephant Joymala
Kaziranga National Park's Esteemed Elephant Passes Away
Kaziranga National Park officials honored Joymala with a ceremonial Guard of Honour. (Photo Credit)
Guwahati, July 5: Joymala, a revered patrol elephant at Kaziranga National Park, passed away on Saturday night after dedicating over thirty years to wildlife conservation. Her death has led to heartfelt tributes from both the Assam government and the conservation community.
Joymala had been receiving ongoing veterinary care for nearly a year due to a chronic illness and took her last breath in the Naloni region of the Agoratoli Range within the park.
Assam's Forest Minister, Jayanta Mallabaruah, paid tribute on Sunday, calling Joymala one of Kaziranga's "finest jungle warriors" and highlighting her role in the silent sacrifices made by patrol elephants who assist forest staff in safeguarding the park's renowned biodiversity.
"Joymala was much more than just a patrol elephant. She was a loyal companion to countless forest guards and mahouts who devoted their lives to protecting Kaziranga. Her legacy of service and sacrifice will inspire all involved in wildlife conservation," the Minister shared in a social media post.
He reminisced about a significant event in Joymala's life, recalling the dramatic 2004 incident when a stray tiger leaped over her while she was on duty.
Joymala gained international fame after surviving the remarkable 2004 tiger leap, which was captured in a widely circulated wildlife photograph. (Photo Credit)
This extraordinary moment, immortalized in a photograph, attracted global attention and became one of the most iconic images linked to Kaziranga, showcasing the bravery and steadiness of the park's patrol elephants and their mahouts.
"As Kaziranga bids farewell to one of its most esteemed protectors, Joymala's legacy of bravery, loyalty, and selfless service will be forever remembered in the park's history," the Minister remarked.
In honor of her remarkable contributions, Joymala was given a ceremonial Guard of Honour during her final rites at Kaziranga National Park.
Forest staff gathered to pay their last respects to the elephant who had dedicated decades to the protection of the park's wildlife.
Born in 1960, Joymala joined Kaziranga National Park in 1992, serving the protected area for 34 years.
Throughout her life, she participated in anti-poaching patrols, wildlife monitoring, rescue missions, and routine forest protection tasks, becoming a vital part of Kaziranga's conservation initiatives.
Joymala was cared for by veteran mahout Satyaban Pegu for many years before her care was passed on to mahout Nilakhanta Koch, who continued to look after her with great affection.