Dibrugarh: An injured 48-year-old elephant named Maniki was seen painfully limping along a highway in Assam, sparking backlash on social media after a video of her ordeal went viral. The distressing clip has led to an intervention by forest officials and renewed scrutiny of animal welfare enforcement.
Maniki, a domesticated elephant suffering from a permanently bent left foreleg, was reportedly being forced to walk nearly 95 kilometres from Kakopathar in Tinsukia district to Dibrugarh for medical treatment, despite clear instructions from the forest department to use a truck for the journey.
Owner Defies Transport Order, Elephant Left to Suffer
The video, which triggered widespread anger online, shows the elephant limping in visible pain, with her mahout, Pradip Moran, still riding on her back. According to Moran, the arduous journey had begun six days earlier, but the elephant had only managed to reach Makum, covering just 36 km of the route.
Local resident Krishna Majhi intervened after seeing the animal struggle, providing shelter at his residence on August 6.
Officials confirmed that Maniki’s injury dates back to a 2022 accident in Arunachal Pradesh, where a heavy log fell on her leg. Though treated, the leg never healed fully, resulting in chronic limping.
Authorities Intervene, Owner 'May' Face Action
The viral footage led to immediate action from forest and district officials on Thursday. A joint team of wildlife officers, medical experts, and environmental activists visited Majhi’s home, where Maniki was being cared for.
The medical team administered pain relief and evaluated the elephant’s condition. Based on their assessment, Maniki was prescribed a mandatory three-day rest. Officials have now directed the elephant’s owner, Ruchi Chetia of Jorhat, to arrange truck transport to a treatment centre, either Kaziranga or Guwahati, with appropriate veterinary support along the way.
Authorities condemned the owner’s decision to flout transportation guidelines and are reportedly considering legal action. However, no case had been registered against the owners for their inhuman treatment of the ailing animal.
