Farewell to Vatsala: Asia’s Oldest Elephant Dies at 100

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Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh bid an emotional farewell this week to Vatsala, Asia’s oldest known elephant, who passed away at the remarkable age of 100.

Affectionately called “Dadi” — meaning grandmother — by rangers and visitors alike, Vatsala was more than a majestic presence. She embodied endurance, wisdom, and gentle strength, becoming a living symbol of the reserve’s spirit.

Originally brought from Kerala decades ago, Vatsala was later relocated to Panna, where she spent most of her life. Over the years, she guarded the forest paths, led her herd with quiet authority, and inspired awe in everyone who crossed her path.

In her twilight years, age took its toll. Struggling with ailments and injuries to her front legs, Vatsala’s movements slowed, but her dignity never faded. On Tuesday, near the Khairaiyaan drain, she collapsed. Despite the forest department’s best efforts to save her, she passed away peacefully.

Her death marked not only the loss of a cherished elephant but also the end of an era. For generations of calves, she played the role of a grandmother, guiding them and offering comfort in the way only an elder matriarch could.

To the forest guards, mahouts, and staff of Panna, Vatsala was family. They watched her grow older with love and respect, and when the time came, they stood by her, ensuring her farewell was conducted with the deepest honor.

“She was not just an elephant,” one ranger said. “She was our guardian, our teacher, and our pride.”

Vatsala’s story now becomes part of Panna’s legacy, remembered by those who cared for her and admired by visitors who once gazed upon her graceful form.

At 100, she lived a life that few elephants ever reach. And in her passing, she leaves behind not silence, but a lasting echo of strength, love, and memory.