A pet elephant of the state forest department injured a patawala, or the mahout’s assistant, in Jaldapara National Park in Alipurduar district on Friday afternoon.
Jagannath Oraon is under treatment at the district hospital here and is reported to be in a critical condition.
Sources in the department said mahout Shiblal Oraon and Jagannath were taking Mainak, the pet elephant, to a nearby river for a bath. While they were crossing the Harindanga watchtower under Jaldapara East forest range, Mainak suddenly turned around and pushed Jagannath. When he fell on the ground, the elephant placed one of its front legs on his abdomen.
An alert Shiblal caught Mainak’s tail to restrain it from further hurting Jagannath who was writhing in pain.
Jagannath was rushed to the block hospital in Madarihat from where he was referred to Alipurduar. Mainak was taken to a different place and has been kept in isolation.
Sources in the forest department said a couple of years back, Mainak had trampled a mahout to death. An official of the department said usually pet elephants attacked mahouts or their assistants if they were drunk or if the animal felt they were not taking care of it.
Eminent elephant expert Parbati Barua said Mainak was an aggressive elephant and its behaviour was quite different.
Senior foresters said they were keeping a watch on the elephant. “Also, we are in touch with doctors at the hospital. The patawala has suffered injuries in his abdomen and is under treatment,” said Deepak M, the divisional forest officer of Jaldapara wildlife division.