The Kaziranga National Park today accorded a tearful farewell to its legendary female patrol elephant, Joymala.
“Today, Kaziranga bows its head in tribute to one of its bravest guardians. Joymala was more than a patrol elephant, she was a silent protector who spent 34 years safeguarding the home of the tiger. From anti-poaching patrols to wildlife rescue operations, she stood beside our forest personnel through every challenge, helping protect one of the world’s greatest tiger landscapes,” said Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah.
“The unforgettable 2004 moment, when a tiger leapt over her during patrol, became a symbol of the extraordinary courage and deepend the bond between Kaziranga’s patrol elephants and its wildlife,” he added.
Joymala hit the headlines for her exceptional courage when Dlduring the 2004-2005 tiger-darting operations, she bravely charged and protected her mahout, Satya Pegu, after he was severely mauled and injured by an adult tigress. Her quick thinking and bravery directly saved human lives during the incident.
“As we bid her farewell with full honours, we salute a life of courage, loyalty and selfless service. Her legacy lives on through the generations of patrol elephants she leaves behind, continuing the mission of protecting Kaziranga and its majestic tigers,” the Forest Minister said, adding, “Rest in peace, Joymala. Your footsteps may have faded from the forest trails, but your spirit will forever echo through the grasslands of Kaziranga.
The 66-year-old jumbo died on Friday night at the Naloni area under the Agoratoli Range following prolonged illness despite receiving continuous veterinary care for nearly a year, director C Ramesh said.
Born in 1960, Joymala joined the forest department in 1992 and served the protected area of Kaziranga for 34 years. During her long association with the park, she played a vital role in anti-poaching patrols, wildlife monitoring, rescue operations and routine forest protection activities, working alongside generations of frontline forest personnel.
Joymala was widely regarded as a dependable companion of forest guards and mahouts who regularly traversed the difficult terrain of Kaziranga to safeguard its rich biodiversity.
