Hit by train, 2 jumbos killed

JORHAT: Two wild elephants were killed and one injured when a passenger train hit them on Thursday at Nakacharai in Mariani in Jorhat. The elephants had strayed into human habitation from the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary and were returning when the accident occurred.

Forest staff found the carcasses, a male and a female, and conducted autopsies. However, the injured elephant has not been spotted so far, said forest range officer (Mariani) Dibakar Medhi. The male was about seven years old while the female was about 20.

A herd of about 25 wild elephants were returning to the sanctuary when three of them were hit by the Guwahati-Tinsukia intercity passenger express. The incident occurred at Bheleuguri tea garden, about 2 km from the Nakachari railway station, at around 5.15 in the morning. The female elephant was cut into pieces and the other was hurled about 100 metres away. Both died on the spot. The injured pachyderm crossed over but could not be found.