India, Aug. 14 -- Mohanmala, the oldest elephant at Assam's Kaziranga National Park who was part of challenging anti-poaching patrols, flood rescues, and carried tourists through the Kohora range's wilderness and forest guards to inaccessible areas, died on Thursday at an estimated age of 90.

Sonali Ghosh, the park director, said Mohanmala was calm, composed, and yet fearless when needed. Age-related ailments had severely weakened her. Forest veterinarians and experts at the College of Veterinary Science treated her for six months.

Mohanmala outlived five of her mahouts, remaining the sole surviving member of her generation. "The entire park mourns her death, and last rites have been organised to pay tribute to her," Ghosh said.

Kiran ...