Elephant dies in Bihar Tiger Reserve

Patna: An elephant died Friday at Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district of Bihar, around 200 km northwest of the state capital.

"The elephant named Amrit died of severe arthritis. He was in bad shape for the last six months and was being treated for his ailment. His back portion had become very weak," VTR Field Director and Conservator of Forests, Santosh Tewari said.

The male tusker was rescued from a circus in the state around a decade ago, Tewari said.

It was lodged at the Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park in Patna and shifted to VTR around four years ago. As it was a trained elephant, it was put to use in tiger patrolling in the forests there.

The elephant was buried in a ditch at a secluded place in the VTR after completing the formalities in the presence of environment and forest department officials.