In a bid to save a 9-month-old baby elephant named Bani, India's first-ever elephant hospital is utilizing a range of treatments, including laser stimulation, ayurvedic massage, and physiotherapy. Bani was tragically struck by a speeding train near Corbett National Park, leaving her critically injured and paralyzed. Despite being a common occurrence in India, the story of Bani and her mother highlights the urgent need for wildlife protection measures.

After receiving initial treatment for her hip and spine injuries at a local facility, Bani showed no signs of improvement. In February, she was transferred to Mathura, where she could benefit from the specialized care at India's first veterinary hospital exclusively for elephants, operated by Wildlife SOS. However, pinpointing all the fractures in Bani's body has proven challenging for the veterinarians due to the bulky nature of the hip regions. Multiple wounds on her back and groin have also been healing slowly.

Despite these setbacks, veterinarians have noted some progress in Bani's condition. With advanced treatments and various therapies, she has regained the use of her front legs, but her hind legs remain a concern. Doctors estimate that it may take up to three months for Bani to fully recover and regain her ability to walk, assuming her treatment progresses smoothly.

Researchers recognize elephants as one of the most emotionally advanced species, with Bani's tragic loss likely impacting her psychological well-being and physical recovery. Nevertheless, caregivers have observed Bani becoming more playful, holding their hands with her trunk, eating well, and responding to treatment.

The plight of Bani and her mother is unfortunately not an isolated incident in India, home to over 20,000 wild elephants, constituting approximately 60% of the overall wild Asian elephant population. Train accidents pose a significant threat, with an average of 20 elephants losing their lives annually while crossing railway lines in their habitats, according to government data.

Conservationists argue that railway tracks should not be allowed to exist in wildlife corridors, highlighting the detrimental impact on India's biodiversity. Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, emphasizes the necessity of elevated tracks and advanced technologies, such as AI-powered alert systems, to prevent further accidents. While the government has issued an order for trains passing through wildlife corridors to reduce their speed, compliance by train operators remains an issue.

Efforts to mitigate the ongoing crisis are underway, with the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu becoming the first to implement an artificial intelligence and machine learning-enabled surveillance system aimed at preventing elephant deaths on railway tracks. The alarming statistics reveal that India has lost around 200 elephants to train accidents alone in the past decade, compounding the impact of poaching and accidental electrocutions. The domestic elephant population, considered India's national heritage animal, has significantly declined from 1 million in the past century to a mere 20,000 today.

This concerning decline in elephant populations poses a substantial threat to India's forests and ecosystems. Elephants play a pivotal role as "the farmers of the forest," influencing agriculture and livelihoods at large. Urgent measures are needed to safeguard these majestic creatures' future, preserving not only their existence but also the delicate balance of India's natural world.