Bhubaneswar, Dec 13: The process to recover the skeleton of Ramu, the oldest elephant of Chandaka Sanctuary, has begun in the Bharatpur forest near Bhubaneswar. Ramu, who tragically died from electrocution in August 2024, will have his remains preserved at the Godibari Nature Reserve within the Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary. A 25-member team, led by renowned animal scientist Dr. Sibaprasad Parida, is overseeing the exhumation and preservation of Ramu's skeleton.

Ramu, who was 40 years old at the time of his death, was the largest and oldest elephant in the sanctuary. He died after being electrocuted by a wire trap allegedly set by villagers living near the sanctuary. His death drew widespread attention to the ongoing issue of human-elephant conflict in the region.

The Forest Department has decided to preserve Ramu's skeleton for educational purposes. The skeleton will be displayed in a high-traffic area, with Nandankanan Zoological Park being chosen as the ideal location for its display. Nandankanan attracts thousands of visitors each day, making it an excellent platform to educate the public on the importance of wildlife conservation.

This initiative aims to raise awareness about the challenges elephants face due to human activities and the need for effective conservation efforts. Ramu's legacy will serve as an educational tool for students, wildlife enthusiasts, and tourists, furthering efforts to protect and conserve elephants and other wildlife in the region.