New Delhi: In a deeply emotional moment for wildlife lovers and conservationists across the country, Vatsala—believed to be the world’s oldest living elephant at around 105 years—passed away at the Hinauta Camp in Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), where she spent her final days under the devoted care of forest staff.
Her passing marked the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to service, conservation, and companionship. Upon receiving the news, PTR Field Director Anjana Suchita Tirkey, Deputy Director Mohit Sood, and renowned wildlife veterinarian Sanjeev Gupta rushed to the site. Her last rites were conducted with solemn respect at the camp, attended by staff who had come to see her not just as a majestic animal, but as family.
Born in the Nilambur forests of Kerala, Vatsala began her life as a working elephant in the timber industry. In 1971, she was brought to Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh and later transferred to Panna Tiger Reserve in 1993. For a decade, she played a crucial role in tracking tigers through dense forests—an invaluable contribution to PTR’s conservation efforts.
Though she officially retired in 2003, Vatsala remained an integral part of the reserve. She spent her later years nurturing and mentoring younger elephants, offering a rare display of emotional warmth and guidance within the animal kingdom.
Her gentle nature and iconic presence made her a beloved figure among domestic and international tourists alike. Vatsala was not just a wildlife attraction; she was a symbol of Panna’s ethos—where ethical care, conservation, and dignity for animals stand above all. Many visitors fondly recalled their interactions with her on social media, sharing videos and photographs that captured her calm spirit and grace.
BJP MP from Panna Assembly constituency in Chhatarpur district, Brijendra Pratap Singh, expressed his heartfelt condolences over her demise. “The passing of the world’s oldest elephant ‘Vatsala,’ who travelled a glorious journey of wildlife for more than a century, is an emotional moment for the people of Panna. Her dignity and affection were deeply embedded in the spirit of the Panna Tiger Reserve,” Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Vatsala’s death is more than the loss of a beloved animal—it marks the end of a legacy. Her contributions to conservation, her emotional bond with her caretakers, and her enduring presence in the hearts of those who met her will forever remain a source of pride and inspiration.
She may be gone, but Vatsala’s memory continues to echo through the forests of Panna—a gentle giant whose life reminded us of the profound intelligence, emotion, and dignity of the creatures we share this planet with.
