Wildlife Trust of India

25/09/2026

Update on the injured elephant in Kacharigaon Tea Estate, Sonitpur, Assam

Following recent treatment and post-operative care provided by WTI and the Assam Forest Department, the elephant has been sighted moving towards Nameri National Park.

Over the past 48 hours, he has covered approximately 7 km and is currently resting on the Jorasor riverbed.
Earlier this month, the elephant was found in Kacharigaon Tea Estate, leaning against a tree for support. He had sustained an injury to his left foreleg, around the elbow joint. He was also observed to have corneal opacity in his left eye, with suspected partial loss of vision.

We will continue to monitor his condition and movements closely as he recovers.

25/09/2026

A 7-day Training for Mahouts & Ghasis, hosted by Manas Tiger Reserve & WTI at Bansbari began on 24 Sept 2026.

Inaugurated by Dr Sonali Ghosh, IFS, APCCF-cum-CHD, with resource persons Padmashri Parbati Barua,Mr Bhupen Talukdar, Dr Prabhat Basumatary,Dr Bhaskar Choudhury & Dr Daoharu Baro.

24/09/2026

Update on Mangal Singh 🐘

A veterinary team from WTI, in coordination with staff from the Digboi Forest Division, conducted a follow-up health check today for 16-year-old captive male elephant Mangal Singh.

The dead tissue and accumulated pus from the affected left tusk were drained, after which the area was thoroughly cleaned and dressed. The right tusk is showing signs of healing.

Further dressing and follow-up treatment will continue as required to support his recovery.

Mangal Singh underwent a specialised partial pulpotomy in Margherita, , on 26 August 2026, following an incident in which his tusks were brutally hacked off by poachers.

24/09/2026

The three male bear cubs at CBRC have begun their journey today. Following standard protocol, they will be kept at the pre-release site for a few months to acclimatise before eventually being released into Pakke Tiger Reserve.

From rescue to rehabilitation, these young bears are now taking an important step towards returning to the wild!

Swipe to read more.

Photographs by Subhasish Arandhara

The first bear cub was admitted from Doimukh, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on 27 March 2026, after being rescued from a few individuals who were allegedly attempting to sell it. The cub was approximately 4–5 weeks old at the time of admission.

The second cub was admitted on 28 March 2026, after being found alone in an agricultural field. A local resident, Wanghoan Lettey, handed the cub over to the Forest Department. The cub was approximately one month old at the time.

The third bear cub was rescued from Dugi Village, tracking a social media post of an individual who had kept the bear as a pet. The cub was about 2-3 months old. The cub was admitted on the 11th of June at CBRC.

A joint team from WTI and the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department is accompanying the cubs on the 26 km journey, which they will cover on foot and on elephants’ backs. We thank the continued support of the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department, the Pakke Tiger Reserve and the IFAW for their continued support and partnership.

24/09/2026

24/09/2026

Under the guidance of Mr. Biswa Jyoti Das, AFS, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), an adult male wild elephant was recently attended to by WTI and the Assam Forest Department, following the detection of multiple injuries in Sontipur West Division, Tezpur, Assam. This included a suspected sharp spear-related injury to the left foreleg around the elbow joint. Surgical intervention, led by Dr. Panjit Basumatary from WTI, was undertaken on the injured left foreleg, and the pus-filled wounds were thoroughly cleaned and dressed. The affected left eye was also cleaned and dressed, followed by administration of a subconjunctival injection as required.

Thanks to the incredible support of Dr. Amarjyoti Boro, Block Veterinary Officer, Dhekiajuli; Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Gogoi, ACF, Sonitpur West Division, Tezpur; Miss Sabina Yasmin, Forest Range Officer, Central Range, Sonitpur West Division, Tezpur; and the frontline staff of Sonitpur West Division and Central Range, who assisted in the operation and subsequent management of the animal.

The elephant is being closely monitored and all necessary veterinary and supportive measures are being continued to facilitate its full recovery.

Photo and video credit: Prasanta Melsudha, Bikey Kchuwa

24/09/2026

A cub, estimated to be three months old, was rescued on the morning of 17 September 2026 after being found entangled in agricultural and fishing nets in a kitchen garden in Natugaon Village, Biswanath District, Assam.

After being alerted by concerned residents, a coordinated rescue effort was carried out by the Forest Department, police, district administration, and Wildlife Trust of India, with the aim of facilitating a possible reunion with its mother in the adjoining riverine islands of the Brahmaputra.

The juvenile tiger was likely separated from its mother due to strong river currents. It was carefully transported by a mechanised country boat to an upstream riverine island near Murkhuwa and Bhawani. The cub has since reportedly made its way out of the cage on its own. The team has recorded pugmark evidence of the individual and deployed camera traps as monitoring continues.

Thanks to the continued support of the Assam Forest Department and IFAW in such interventions.

Photo Credit: Kaji Jeidul Islam (first two photos) & Nayanjyoti Gogoi, AFS

23/09/2026

Under the guidance of Mr. Biswa Jyoti Das, AFS, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), an adult male wild elephant was recently attended to by WTI and the Assam Forest Department, following the detection of multiple injuries in Sontipur West Division, Tezpur, Assam. This included a suspected sharp spear-related injury to the left foreleg around the elbow joint. Surgical intervention, led by Dr. Panjit Basumatary from WTI, was undertaken on the injured left foreleg, and the pus-filled wounds were thoroughly cleaned and dressed. The affected left eye was also cleaned and dressed, followed by administration of a subconjunctival injection as required.

Thanks to the incredible support of Dr. Amarjyoti Boro, Block Veterinary Officer, Dhekiajuli; Dr. Bibhuti Ranjan Gogoi, ACF, Sonitpur West Division, Tezpur; Miss Sabina Yasmin, Forest Range Officer, Central Range, Sonitpur West Division, Tezpur; and the frontline staff of Sonitpur West Division and Central Range, who assisted in the operation and subsequent management of the animal.

The elephant is being closely monitored and all necessary veterinary and supportive measures are being continued to facilitate its full recovery.

Photographs by Prasanta Melsudha & Bikey Kchuwa

17/09/2026

Over the past two days, the Gujarat Forest Department has seized 31 live star tortoises, two leopard claws and two hathajodi, in three separate operations. Four individuals have been apprehended and investigation is ongoing about where the animals and articles were headed to.

While we have been continuously working with enforcement agencies for stricter vigilance, it is worrying that animals continue to be trafficked and the demand for illegal wildlife products continues to thrive.

Help us curb

17/09/2026

A month-old female rhino calf has been admitted to the IFAW-WTI Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in , Assam. The calf has sustained a deep wound on its back along with other superficial injuries. While the reason for the same has not yet been established, preliminary investigations suggest that the individual had starved for a considerable period before being spotted by the forest department staff. Thanks to the timely intervention by the Assam Forest Department, the rhino is currently being provided with vital fluids and care. We hope that it stabilises soon.