Kaziranga National Park has bid farewell to one of its most iconic residents, Mohanmala, the park’s oldest elephant, who died on August 14, 2025, Thursday, at an estimated age of 90.

Over her long life, Mohanmala played a vital role in anti-poaching patrols, flood rescue missions, and tourist safaris through the Kohora range. She also ferried forest guards to remote areas inaccessible by other means.

Park Director Sonali Ghosh described the veteran elephant as “calm, composed, and yet fearless when needed”.

She said Mohanmala had been battling age-related ailments for several years and had received treatment from forest veterinarians and experts at the College of Veterinary Science for the past six months.

Mohanmala, the last surviving member of her generation, outlived five mahouts.

“The entire park mourns her passing, and last rites have been conducted to honour her service,” Ghosh added.

Kiran Rabha, the head mahout of the Kohora range who had worked with Mohanmala since 1983, recalled her as a powerful swimmer capable of reaching areas even boats could not access during rescues.

“She was our unofficial ambulance, carrying sick or injured staff from remote camps to safety, and later bringing them back after recovery,” he said.

The park retired Mohanmala about 13 years ago on the advice of mahouts as her advancing age began to slow her down.

Since then, she had lived at the Mihimukh elephant camp on a government pension, receiving care and attention from the forest department until her final days.

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