Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on X (formerly Twitter) that thermal cameras have captured an increasing number of elephants returning to their natural habitat in Kaziranga National Park. This development serves as an important indicator of receding floodwaters in the region.
In a video shared on X, Chief Minister Sarma posted digital footage showing elephants with their families moving back into the park. “The good news is that our thermal cameras have spotted more and more elephants returning to their natural habitat in Kaziranga as water levels decrease,” he stated.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is known for its rich biodiversity, including a significant elephant population. The park has faced severe disruptions due to seasonal floods, forcing wildlife to migrate to higher ground.
The return of elephants signals not only a reduction in flood levels but also the gradual restoration of normalcy within the park. The visuals shared show elephants navigating through Kaziranga’s lush greenery, indicating that the receding floodwaters are making the natural habitat hospitable once again.
According to Kaziranga’s park director, Sonali Ghosh, the floods have resulted in the deaths of 174 animals, including 10 one-horned rhinos. Hog deer suffered the most, with 153 deaths primarily due to drowning, compounded by two fatalities from vehicle collisions on a nearby highway.
Overall, the return of elephants and other wildlife to Kaziranga National Park underscores a significant positive shift, reflecting the decreasing flood levels and the gradual reestablishment of the park’s natural environment.
