Guwahati: A 48-year-old female elephant from Assam’s Tinsukia district has been transported to Vantara, a privately run wildlife facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, after state authorities approved her transfer for long-term medical care.
The relocation has drawn renewed attention not only to the prolonged suffering of an elephant named Maniki but also to the continuing debate surrounding the movement of captive elephants from Assam to Vantara, a facility promoted by industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s youngest son, Anant Ambani, that has previously faced criticism from activists and conservationists over the acquisition of elephants from the Northeast.
Maniki’s plight came into public focus in August last year after a video showing her limping painfully along a highway in Assam went viral on social media.
The footage depicted the ageing elephant struggling to walk on a severely deformed front leg while being taken for treatment.
The images had triggered widespread outrage across Assam and prompted urgent intervention by forest officials, veterinarians, and animal welfare groups.
According to conservationists, Maniki had been suffering for years from a serious injury to her left foreleg, reportedly sustained when a heavy log fell on it in Arunachal Pradesh.
The injury never healed properly, leaving her with a permanent limp. Age-related ailments, infected wounds, dehydration, poor body condition, and impaired vision further worsened her condition.
Reports indicated that despite her fragile health, she was allegedly forced to undertake a long journey on foot from Kakopathar towards Dibrugarh for treatment, even though forest authorities had advised that she be transported by vehicle. During the trek, she reportedly collapsed near the Makum Bypass after walking several kilometres over multiple days.
Records indicate that Maniki had previously been rescued and treated under veterinary supervision after authorities detected her worsening leg injury. Conservation groups had reportedly recommended prolonged rest and rehabilitation.
Following public appeals and consultations with authorities, Maniki’s owner, Ruchi Chetia, sought permission to transfer the elephant to Vantara for specialised treatment. The move received approval from the relevant authorities in Assam and Gujarat.
Vantara has stated that Maniki requires intensive veterinary care, including pain management, wound treatment, nutritional rehabilitation, and physiotherapy. The facility claims she will receive long-term care and be housed in an environment designed for ageing elephants.
However, the transfer has also reignited concerns among several wildlife activists regarding the growing relocation of elephants from Assam and other northeastern states to Vantara. Critics have previously questioned the circumstances under which numerous captive elephants were moved out of Assam, arguing that stronger rehabilitation infrastructure should be developed within the state itself rather than transferring animals elsewhere.
The issue remains contentious, with supporters of the transfer arguing that Maniki urgently requires specialised treatment unavailable locally, while critics contend that Assam needs permanent retirement and rehabilitation facilities for rescued elephants.
Animal welfare campaigners continue to urge the Assam government to establish a dedicated sanctuary for retired and rescued elephants within the state to ensure that animals such as Maniki can receive lifelong care closer to their natural environment.
For now, Maniki’s immediate ordeal appears to have ended. After years of pain, neglect, and repeated movement despite serious injuries, the ageing elephant has begun a new phase of treatment far from Assam.
A Vantara spokesperson said: “Maniki’s health report indicates that she requires comprehensive veterinary attention in a protected and specialised care environment. Her impaired gait, lameness, dehydration, poor body condition, infected wounds, and other health concerns make a structured long-term treatment plan essential. Our immediate priorities include pain management through medication, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture, along with wound care and nutritional rehabilitation, all guided by her welfare and recovery needs. We are grateful to the authorities for their timely intervention and to Ruchi Chetia for his informed decision, which helped enable Maniki’s transfer to Vantara for the urgent care she requires.”