‘Hope’ remembered with launch of mobile wildlife treatment unit

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI,: A mobile veterinary unit in memory of ‘Hope’ was inaugurated on Saturday at Dahara Forest under the Bagdogra forest range of the Kurseong division.

Hope, a seven-year-old female elephant, had tragically died on March 10, 2025, after a 22-day battle with a severe parasitic infection. She was diagnosed with Trypanosomiasis, a rare and often fatal protozoan disease that affects the joints, ligaments and internal organs. Despite their best efforts, veterinarians from India and Thailand could not save her.

The elephant was rescued on February 14, 2025, near Bengdubi Army Cantonment with severe injuries to her legs. Forest veterinarians worked alongside a four-member specialist team from Thailand’s Save Elephant Foundation, members of The Jumboo Troops, and others to treat her.

To mark the day, a programme was organised by The Jumboo Troops in memory of Hope. On the occasion, a mobile veterinary unit was handed over to the Forest Department to assist in the treatment of injured wild animals and help save their lives.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Devesh Pandey of the Kurseong Forest Division said the day was observed in memory of Hope, during which members of The Jumboo Troops formally handed over the mobile veterinary unit. The unit includes medicines, instruments and other essential equipment required for the treatment of wild animals and will support the elephant squad team of the Kurseong division.

Rikjyoti Singha, in-charge of The Jumboo Troops, said, “Today we organised a small programme in memory of Hope and felicitated all the doctors for their hard work. In her memory, The Jumboo Troops has officially launched a veterinary support unit for wildlife and animals in this area, which will provide free services. We have also handed over essential medicines to the department for emergency wildlife treatment.”