The elephant who became India’s greatest conservation hero dies at 90

Farewell to Mohanmala, Kaziranga's oldest elephant: she spent her life on anti-poaching patrols and flood rescues alongside rangers for over 50 years in India.

Kaziranga National Park in the Indian state of Assam mourns the passing of Mohanmala, its oldest departmental elephant, estimated to be around 80-90 years old (176-198 lbs at birth, typically). Arriving at the park in distant 1970, she was immediately recognized as a special animal: strong, courageous, and capable of facing challenges that few others could have sustained.

Throughout the decades, Mohanmala was an active part of anti-poaching operations, accompanying rangers into the most remote areas to protect Indian rhinoceroses and other threatened species. Her natural calm, combined with a determined character, allowed her to face dangerous situations without hesitation. For this reason, among park guards she was considered not just a work companion, but a true ally in defending nature.

The weight of her legacy becomes even more remarkable when you consider that she outlived five mahouts during her extraordinary tenure, serving as both witness and guardian to generations of conservation efforts.

The flood hero

One of her most remembered qualities was her ability as an tireless swimmer. During the devastating floods of the Brahmaputra River, Mohanmala was able to reach places inaccessible to boats, bringing people and animals to safety. For years she was nicknamed the “park ambulance,” capable of transporting wounded or sick individuals to rescue centers and, when possible, bringing them back once they had recovered.

Her swimming prowess wasn’t just about physical strength—it was about an almost uncanny ability to navigate treacherous waters that would challenge even the most experienced boat operators. When seasonal flooding transformed Kaziranga into a partially submerged landscape, Mohanmala became the bridge between isolation and rescue, quite literally carrying hope on her back through swirling currents.

The Brahmaputra’s floods, which can reach depths of 12-15 feet (3.6-4.5 meters) and stretch for miles, transformed the landscape into something resembling an inland sea. Yet Mohanmala moved through these waters with the confidence of a creature born to both land and river.

A unique bond with her keepers

Throughout her long existence, Mohanmala saw five mahouts (or keepers) pass beside her, all of whom she outlived. With each of them she established a relationship of deep trust, becoming an integral part not only of the park team, but of the lives of those who cared for her. Since 2012, on the advice of her keepers, she was officially retired from active service and transferred to the Mihimukh camp, where she spent her retirement receiving daily care, food, and attention.

The relationship between an elephant and her mahout transcends the typical bounds of animal-human interaction. It’s a partnership built on mutual respect, understanding, and an almost telepathic communication that develops over years of shared experiences. Each mahout who worked with Mohanmala spoke of her intelligence—how she seemed to anticipate needs before they were expressed, how she could read human emotions, and how she protected those she trusted with fierce dedication.

Kiran Rabha, her final head mahout who knew her from 1983, shared one particularly vivid memory that captures her extraordinary courage and loyalty. On an early winter morning near the wetland known as Mihibeel, while on patrol with Mohanmala and her calf Malati, the stillness was suddenly shattered when a wild bull elephant emerged and charged aggressively toward them. Without hesitation, Mohanmala plunged into the deep waters, guiding both her calf and mahout to safety across the wetland. Only after ensuring everyone’s safety on the far bank did she disappear into the forest with Malati. They remained missing for nearly a month before calmly returning to camp—unharmed, a living testament to survival instinct and trust.

A moving ceremony in her honor

Mohanmala’s death represents the end of an era. For over fifty years she was a silent witness to Kaziranga’s transformations, to battles won against poachers, and to tragedies brought by floods. For precisely this reason, park authorities paid tribute to her with an official ceremony, recognizing her as part of the Kaziranga family and as a symbol of a struggle that goes beyond the life of a single animal.

The park organized a moving farewell ceremony, attended by rangers, veterinarians, and members of the local community. The celebration included traditional rituals and moments of reflection, paying homage to the courage and dedication of Mohanmala.

The ceremony itself was a testament to how deeply Mohanmala had touched the lives of those who worked alongside her. In Indian culture, such formal recognition is typically reserved for revered figures, and the park’s decision to hold a ‘Shraddhanjali’ (tribute ceremony) speaks volumes about her significance. Park Director Sonali Ghosh noted that “with her passing, Kaziranga National Park has lost not just a working member, but a trusted colleague, a flood-time saviour, and a symbol of loyalty and courage.”

Her personal story was marked by both service and profound loss. She gave birth to two female calves: Malati, who died at the age of 17, and another calf who was killed by a tiger just three days after birth. Despite such heartbreak, Mohanmala remained steadfast in her service to the park and its mission.

The ceremony drew an overwhelming emotional response not just locally but online, with people sharing personal memories of encounters with her during park visits. The collective grief reflected how deeply she had touched lives far beyond Kaziranga’s boundaries, becoming a symbol of conservation efforts across India.

As the sun set over the park that had been her home for 55 years, Mohanmala’s legacy was secured not just in the memories of those who knew her, but in the countless rhinos, tigers, and other wildlife that survived because of her dedication. In a world where conservation often feels like an uphill battle, stories like Mohanmala’s remind us that sometimes the most powerful allies come with four legs, infinite patience, and hearts large enough to carry the hopes of an entire ecosystem.

Source: Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve | Facebook