Though Vatsala is known as oldest elephant in the world but she could not make it to the Guinness Book of World Record. The female elephant is very popular in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna Tiger Reserve. Officials said that Vatsala is more than 100 years in age but her birth record is not available in PTR office. In lack of proper documents, her name could not be recorded with the Guinness World Record. In the year 2007, PTR’s former director Shahwaj Ahamad sought the birth related documents of elephant from Nilambur Forest Division.

 

During year 2018, Shahwaj Ahamad visited Panna Tiger Reserve as Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF Wildlife Wing) and directed to get the birth certificates of elephant from Nilambur division. After he got retired from the post, the matter was put in cold storage. Wildlife activities and lovers demanded Government to take cognisance over the issue and provide the birth record of elephant to make her registered in world record. The elephant is suffering from old age issues including cataract and weak immune system. The reserve officials said that Vatsala was brought from Nilambur Forest Division of Kerala in her early age. She was brought to Madhya Pradesh during year 1971 at 50 years of age. During year 1993, she was shifted to Panna Tiger Reserve from Bori wildlife sanctuary. Officials said that normal life of an elephant is 60 to 70 years but Vatsala is more than 100 years old.