Osama bin Laden (elephant) explained

Osama bin Laden
Species:Asian elephant
Gender:Male
Death Date:December 2006
Death Place:Behali, near Tezpur, Assam, India
Years Active:2004–2006
Height:9to
Appearance:No tusks
Namedafter:Osama bin Laden

Osama bin Laden was a rogue bull elephant named after the notorious terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. He was responsible for at least 27 deaths and the destruction of property in the jungled Sonitpur district of the Indian state of Assam. After a two-year rampage from 2004 to 2006, the elephant was eventually shot, though some were doubtful that the correct animal had been killed. Two other now-deceased killer elephants active following 2006 were also given the name "Osama bin Laden" or "Laden".

Attacks

Osama bin Laden was a rogue bull elephant active in the Indian state of Assam, in the vicinity of Behali, near Tezpur. The state capital, Guwahati, is 150miles southwest of Behali.[1] The province has an estimated population of 5,300 Asiatic elephants.[1]

Named after the terrorist Osama bin Laden,[2] at the time of the attacks, the elephant was thought to be between 45 and 50 years old. He measured between 9and tall. He was given the status of a "rogue" elephant in the summer of 2006 after his death toll reached double-digit figures. He was said not to fear fire or firecrackers.[3] During his attacks, he killed 27 people in the state of Assam,[4] including 14 during the six months preceding his death.[5] [6]

Expansion of human activities and destruction of elephants' natural habitat has resulted in elephants foraging for food where humans are situated. From 2001 to 2006 in Assam, more than 250 people were killed by elephants; villagers killed 268 elephants, mainly by poisoning.[1]

Death

Indian officials issued a "shoot to kill" directive for Osama bin Laden in mid-December 2006, with a deadline of the end of the month. On 18 December, it was announced that the elephant had been tracked to a tea plantation near Behali, a town 90miles north-west of Guwahati.[3] Local villagers used drums and fire to trap the elephant in the corner of the plantation.[5] He was approached by hunter Dipen Ram Phookun; however, once the elephant realised what was about to happen he charged the hunter, who killed him as he rapidly approached. Phookun said, "It was charging towards me and I kept firing. Another few yards and it would have run over me."[5] It had been identified as Osama bin Laden as it had no tusks.[3]

However officials were concerned that it was not the right elephant, with the death taking place a considerable distance  - 50miles  - from where he had been seen previously. Forestry officials were accused of killing an innocent elephant, while conservation groups were concerned about the possibility of revenge attacks by other elephants of the same herd.[3]

Other elephants

Post 9/11, villagers in Assam started calling elephants which damaged their crops or homes Osama bin Laden, viewing them as terrorists. In 2008, another elephant also named "Osama bin Laden" – that caused more than 11 fatalities and dozens of injuries – was shot dead in Jharkhand.[7] Another, known as "Laden", killed 5 people before being caught and dying in captivity in 2019.[8]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Scott . Conroy . . 17 December 2006 . Elephant Named After Bin Laden Shot Dead . 2 January 2015 . 2 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150102163540/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/elephant-named-after-bin-laden-shot-dead/ . live .
  2. Web site: Authorities in India hunting killer elephant named after Osama bin Laden . 16 December 2006 . . 3 January 2015 . 4 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150104161507/http://www.waff.com/story/5820652/authorities-in-india-hunting-killer-elephant-named-after-osama-bin-laden . live .
  3. News: 'Osama' the serial killer elephant is shot dead – or is he? . Bignell . Paul . 18 December 2006 . . 2 January 2015 . 2 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150102163352/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/osama-the-serial-killer-elephant-is-shot-dead--or-is-he-428923.html . live .
  4. News: Serial killer elephant shot dead in India . 17 December 2006 . . 23 April 2013 . 27 July 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130727061222/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/16248233/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/t/serial-killer-elephant-shot-dead-india . live .
  5. News: India's killer elephant shot dead . 17 December 2006 . . 23 April 2013 . 3 January 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130103213448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6183961.stm . live .
  6. News: Killer elephant named after Osama bin Laden slain . 18 December 2006 . . Guwahati, India . 2 January 2015 . 2 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150102211401/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2006-12-18-killer-elephant_x.htm . live .
  7. News: Killer elephant "Osama" shot dead in Jharkhand . Patna, India . 31 May 2008 . . 2 January 2015 . 2 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150102183626/http://in.reuters.com/article/2008/05/31/idINIndia-33839920080531 . live .
  8. https://www.foxnews.com/world/usama-bin-laden-elephant-india-captivity-dies Elephant, named Usama bin Laden, dies in captivity after killing 5 villagers in India, officials say