A ceremonial Guard of Honour was accorded by forest department personnel during the final rites of Joymala, one of Kaziranga National Park’s longest-serving patrol elephants. The 66-year-old animal passed away at the Naloni area within the Agoratoli Range following a year-long battle with a prolonged illness.
Born in 1960 and inducted into service in 1992, the elephant dedicated over three decades to safeguarding the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Her duties spanned critical anti-poaching operations, wildlife tracking, and rescue missions across flood-prone terrains alongside frontline forest staff. Her legacy persists through her offspring, who currently serve as active patrol animals within the reserve.
Joymala achieved international prominence during a 2004 forest patrol when an adult tiger vaulted over her head during an encounter. The rare moment was captured on camera, becoming a definitive image of wildlife defense and demonstrating the exceptional composure of the park’s trained elephants and handlers. Paying tribute to her decades of service, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah noted, “Joymala was far more than a patrol elephant. She was a trusted companion of generations of forest guards and mahouts who dedicated their lives to protecting Kaziranga. Her service and sacrifice will always remain a source of inspiration for everyone associated with wildlife conservation.”
