Siliguri (West Bengal), July 1 (IANS) One of the two elephants hit by a train in West Bengal late last month died Friday, following multi-organ failure, an official said.
The two pachyderms were knocked down by the Asansol Express while they were crossing the rail track in the Dooars forest area of Banerhat in Jalpaiguri district June 26.
The 30-year-old female elephant had multiple fractures and was in a critical state at the Diana jungles area where it was being treated.
‘It was virtually immobile and in excruciating pain, and died this morning following multi-organ failure,’ said Divisional Forest Officer (Jalpaiguri) Kalyan Das.
The other elephant, an eight-year-old female, is being treated at the Gorumara National Park.
Forest Department sources said there was a very slim chance of its survival.
‘We are even considering whether we can go for mercy killing to end its suffering,’ said a forest official.
Seven elephants were mowed down Sep 22, 2010 on the same track between Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. At least 34 elephants have been killed on this track by trains in 11 years.
