Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s forest department on Saturday started the process of exhuming the skeletal remains of iconic tusker Ramu from Bharatpur forest area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
The exercise marks a rare scientific preservation effort aimed at honouring the legacy of the much-loved elephant after his death. Ramu’s skeleton, which was buried following his death earlier this year, is being carefully exhumed from the Bharatpur forest under the Chandaka–Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary.
The skeletal remains will be sent to Godibari Prakriti Nivas near Bhubaneswar, where they will undergo a scientific conservation process for long-term preservation.
The entire initiative is intended to commemorate Ramu, widely regarded as one of the oldest and most recognisable male elephants of the sanctuary. The preserved skeleton will be used for education, awareness and conservation-related purposes, helping future generations understand the ecological and cultural importance of elephants in Odisha’s forests.
A specialised expert team conducted a detailed field inspection at the burial site in the Bharatpur forest. The team is being led by noted zoologist Shiva Prasad Parida, who assessed the site conditions and technical requirements essential for safely excavating and preserving the skeletal remains of the animal.
