Assam honors veteran elephants Pramila and Purnima with ceremonial retirement

Guwahati: Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam recently held a ceremonial farewell for two veteran elephants, Pramila and Purnima. The event honored the pair for their extensive contributions to forest protection and wildlife conservation efforts within the park.

During the ceremony, the elephants received a Guard of Honour and were adorned with traditional gamochas. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted the importance of their work in supporting forest personnel. In a post shared on X, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the animals, stating, "Not all heroes wear uniforms. Some walk through forests."

As these two long-serving elephants transition into retirement, the reserve has introduced a new generation of support. Five newly trained elephants have officially joined the force to assist authorities with patrolling duties and ongoing wildlife protection initiatives.