Rajaji National Park officials claim to be in a quandary. A female elephant brought to the park after the death of Arundhati on October 1 to give rides to tourists visiting the park has ‘eloped’ with a wild tusker. On Tuesday, three female elephants of the Rajaji National Park — Mamata, Rangeeli and Radha — had gone deep inside the Chilla range in search of fodder, when they came across a wild tusker. While Rangeeli and Radha came back with the accompanying staff members, Mamata reportedly accompanied the tusker into the forest.A combing operation has been launched in the park to get Mamata back. Wildlife officials are more worried about her as she is a case property in a case pending in the Delhi High Court. The elephant was rescued by wildlife officials of the Delhi Government and lodged at Delhi zoo. Since there were not many facilities for Mamata in the zoo, Delhi zoo gave a call for adoption.After the death of Arundhati, the Rajaji National Park authorities decided to adopt Mamata and train her to give rides to tourists visiting the park. For the past one month, Mamata was being trained along with three other elephants. However, after her ‘elopement’ officials here are worried as they will have to face the court. “The elephant is a case property but we are confident of finding her as her legs are already tied with a rope and there is a saddle on her back,” said Chandola. Arundhati, the longest serving elephant at the park, died a painful death on October 1 after she broke her leg. Interestingly, Arundhati also had a history of “elopement”. Five years ago, she had run away with an elephant that had wandered into the area from Nepal. Arundhati, however, later came back.
