Arunachal: Male Elephant Spotted At Namdapha National Park After 12-Year Gap

ITANAGAR: In a significant development for wildlife conservation, Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh has recorded the first sighting of an adult male elephant in over ten years. The rare sighting, captured on January 13, 2025, by a strategically placed camera trap, highlights the park’s ongoing efforts to protect its biodiversity.

The 2022 Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) report had pointed out that elephants were missing from the park, blaming hunting by local tribes and a possible market for elephants in nearby areas.

While elephants have been spotted passing through the park during the monsoon, the tough terrain and unpredictable weather have made it hard to monitor them regularly.

This landmark sighting was made possible by the dedication of a conservation team led by V.K. Jawal, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Namdapha National Park, and Biri Karba, Range Forest Officer of the Namdapha Wildlife Range and Research Wing. Their efforts gave important information about the elephant's movement, showing that the park is a key area for migration.

After the discovery, park authorities have increased patrols in the most vulnerable areas, especially around the Kathan region in the northwest, to protect the habitat. This sighting is an important step in learning more about and preserving the park’s ecosystem, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts.

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