Ramu Elephant Skeleton Recovered in Odisha: Preservation Effort at Godibari
In a landmark conservation effort, the Odisha Forest Department has successfully exhumed the skeleton of Ramu, the legendary tusker of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary.
The 8-hour operation, led by renowned elephant expert Dr Shiba Prasad Parida, involved a 25-member team including forensic specialists, forest rangers, and wildlife experts.
Over 200 bones—including the skull, ribcage, and limbs—were carefully recovered from Bharatpur forest, where Ramu was buried following his tragic death by electrocution on August 19, 2024.
The remains will be transported to Godibari Prakriti Nivas near Bhubaneswar, Ramu’s favourite habitat, for cleaning, chemical treatment, and reassembly.
Unlike Shankar, another famous elephant whose skeleton is displayed at the Regional Museum of Natural History, Ramu’s remains will be preserved at Godibari to serve as a symbol of wildlife awareness and education.
Ramu, the oldest and largest male elephant in the sanctuary, was beloved by locals and forest staff for his gentle nature.
Despite occasional crop-raiding, he never harmed humans and was cherished as a “gentle giant.” The recovery drew crowds of villagers and officials, underscoring his enduring legacy.
The Forest Department aims to use Ramu’s preserved skeleton to highlight the importance of conservation and raise awareness about human-elephant conflicts in Odisha.
