Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): ‘Vatsala’, ‘longest living’ female elephant, passed away in Panna Tiger Reserve following prolonged illness on Tuesday. The tusker is believed to be more than 100 years old and the longest surviving Jumbo in the world.
With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Vatsala, >100-old matriarch of Panna Tiger Reserve. Her gentle presence inspired awe in all who met her. Thank you, Vatsala, for countless rescue operations & nurturing many Elephant calves. Your legacy lives on. 🐘🙏 pic.twitter.com/DJ9vmhoGPl
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) July 8, 2025
Earlier, the forest officials had even attempted to get her name included in Guinness World Record as longest surviving jumbo but her name could not be registered as her birth certificate was not available.
With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Vatsala, >100-old matriarch of Panna Tiger Reserve. Her gentle presence inspired awe in all who met her. Thank you, Vatsala, for countless rescue operations & nurturing many Elephant calves. Your legacy lives on. 🐘🙏 pic.twitter.com/DJ9vmhoGPl
— Anupam Sharma, IFS (@AnupamSharmaIFS) July 8, 2025
Interacting with Free Press, Panna Tiger Reserve field director Anjana Suchita informed that ‘Vatsala’ was not keeping well from some time and had eye sight issues as well. She was even struggling to walk. Forest team had stopped engaging Vatsala in patrolling work.
3 Arrested For Duping Women On Pretext Of Increasing ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’ Installment Amount In MP's BhindOn Tuesday, Vatsala was brought to Karaiya Nala for a bath but she fell down after suffering damage to one of her nails. All kinds of efforts were made to help her stand again but to no avail. She later passed away.
Wildlife Mourns: ‘Dai Maa’ Vatsala, Panna Tiger Reserve’s Oldest Elephant, Passes Away at 100+
— Indian Masterminds (@i3masterminds) July 8, 2025
Read On-https://t.co/PLZVTgEZZO@PannaTigerResrv @mpforestdept @wti_org_india #Elephants #OldestElephant #Vatsala #pannatigerreserve #Wildlife #ForestNews #WildlifeIndia pic.twitter.com/No4X1hBD9t
No birth record of the Jumbo
There is no exact record of the birth of Vatsala. However it is learnt that she was captured in Kerala in 1972. Afterwards, she was brought to Hoshangabad division where she served for some time.
Later in 1993 she was brought to Panna Tiger Reserve and since then she had been residing there and became most loveable Jumbo. A pall of gloom has descended upon Panna Tiger Reserve following the death of Vatsala.
You may also like
'It is after 6 o'clock': Indian-origin doctor in UK suspended for using forceps to deliver baby
Karnataka CM buzz: DK Shivakumar says no cabinet reshuffle, meets Priyanka Gandhi in Delhi
Israeli army says troops destroy Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon
'Adored' Brit tourist, 24, died after 'falling backwards' from first floor window in Amsterdam
Carlos Alcaraz has won £3m more just at Wimbledon than quarter-finalist has in his career