Process to Recover Skeletal Remains of Iconic Elephant Ramu Begins in Odisha
Ramu’s skeleton, which was buried following his death earlier this year, is being carefully exhumed from within the Bharatpur forest under the Chandaka–Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha forest department on Saturday initiated the process of recovering the skeletal remains of Ramu, the iconic tusker of the Chandaka–Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, from the Bharatpur forest area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
The exercise marks a rare scientific preservation effort aimed at honouring the legacy of the much-loved elephant even after his death.
According to forest department sources, Ramu’s skeleton, which was buried following his death earlier this year, is being carefully exhumed from within the Bharatpur forest under the Chandaka–Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary. Once the recovery is completed, the skeletal remains will be transported to Godibari Prakriti Nivas near Bhubaneswar, where they will undergo a scientific conservation process for long-term preservation.
Officials said the initiative is intended to commemorate Ramu, widely regarded as one of the oldest and most recognisable male elephants of the sanctuary. The preserved skeleton will be used for education, awareness and conservation-related purposes, helping future generations understand the ecological and cultural importance of elephants in Odisha’s forests.
Before the exhumation began, a specialised expert team conducted a detailed field inspection at the burial site in the Bharatpur forest. The team is being led by noted zoologist Shiva Prasad Parida, who assessed the site conditions and technical requirements essential for safely excavating and preserving the skeletal remains.
Forest officials said the inspection focused on identifying appropriate excavation techniques, preventing damage to the bones during retrieval and ensuring the skeleton can be scientifically conserved once shifted from the forest. The entire recovery operation is being carried out under close supervision, following established wildlife preservation and conservation protocols.
Ramu was the oldest and largest adult male elephant in the Chandaka–Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary and had become a familiar presence for forest staff and residents of nearby areas. He frequently moved through forest patches in Chandaka and Khordha, making him one of the most recognised elephants in the region.
The tusker also held special significance for conservation efforts, as he was the first elephant in the area that the forest department attempted to radio-collar in 2021, though the effort was unsuccessful.
Ramu died on August 19, 2024, after reportedly suffering an electric shock near the Bharatpur forest. His carcass was found close to the Chandaka forest boundary wall. During the postmortem examination, officials detected a cut mark on his trunk and darkening of the heart—signs commonly associated with electrocution—strengthening suspicions that the iconic elephant died due to an electric shock.
