Asia's oldest elephant Vatsala, more than 100 years old, died on Tuesday, July 8 under the range of Panna Tiger Reserve's Hinauta. Vatsala is believed to be Asia's oldest elephant. Vatsala's last rites were performed by the officers and employees of Panna Tiger Reserve. Elephant Vatsala has been a center of attraction for tourists. Being the oldest, she has been leading the entire group of elephants. After the delivery and birth of a calf by other female elephants, she used to play her role as a grandmother.
Field Director Panna Tiger Reserve said that female Vatsala had sat down near Khairaiyaan Nala of range Hinauta after the nails of her front leg were broken. A lot of effort was made by the forest workers to lift her. However, elephant Vatsala died in the afternoon.
Vatsala was brought from Kerala to Narmadapuram
Elephant Vatsala was brought from Kerala to Narmadapuram and later she was brought to Panna Tiger Reserve. Due to old age, Vatsala had lost her eyesight and was unable to walk long distances, so she was not used for patrolling. She was kept in Hinauta Elephant Camp. She was taken to Khairaiyaan Nala every day for bathing and was given porridge for food.
The health of elephant Vatsala was being checked from time to time by the wildlife veterinarians and experts of Panna Tiger Reserve management. Therefore, Vatsala lived to a long age in the dry forest area of Panna Tiger Reserve. Vatsala played an important role in the tiger restoration plan in the Tiger Reserve.