It was on the 18th of August, 2019, when Bhunte met Tikiri, from Sri Lanka, she was in an appalling state and died a few days after. Bhunte’s reminiscent of his last meeting with Tikiri is no less different than meeting Kajalkali, from Nepal. Kajalkali faced a similar fate. Had she not been held in insensible captivity, she would have been one happy matriarch of a herd somewhere in the dense forest of Nepal. When Bhunte and Sanu saw Kajalkali aunt, they were shocked. Her body condition (which is a reflection of her stress level) was shockingly poor, indicating that she had gone through an immense level of stress!!! Sanu started chirping and roaring. Bhunte calmed her by placing his trunk on her forehead. Kajalkali aunt is no more. Bhunte secretly prayed that many elephants held in captivity and trapped in the trade should never ever face the same fate! Sometimes, death is bliss, when we realise that surviving is more traumatic!

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(I personally dedicate this story to those elephants who are learning to adapt to humans’ greed and to those who are continuously working for the welfare of elephants and other voiceless beings)