Elephant Ramu’s skeleton preservation underway in Bhubaneswar; public display planned

The preservation of elephant Ramu’s skeleton is progressing steadily in Bhubaneswar, with officials confirming that the remains will eventually be displayed for public viewing after completing scientific treatment and restoration.

After remaining submerged for seven days as part of a chemical preservation process, Ramu’s skeletal remains were taken out of a preservation tank on Monday. Officials said the bones had been immersed in formalin to prevent damage and deterioration.

Once the bones dry completely, repair and restoration work will be undertaken before they are reassembled to recreate the structure of the elephant.

Drying Process Begins After Chemical Treatment

Following the completion of chemical treatment, the bones are now being dried under sunlight as part of the next stage of the preservation process.

Explaining the importance of the procedure, animal expert Siba Prasad Panigrahi said the chemical treatment was necessary to protect the skeleton from long-term damage. “Since the carcass was buried, chemical treatment was essential to preserve the skeletal structure. Without this process, the bones would have deteriorated over time. All chemical procedures have now been completed,” he said.

He added that repair work on damaged or missing portions would begin next. “Once repairs are completed, we will proceed with the preservation and assembly of the skeleton,” Panigrahi said.

Repair Work to Take Priority

According to Panigrahi, repair work will be carried out in phases. “The skull had developed cracks and will take nearly a week to repair. Other bones that were sawn during the post-mortem, including the ribs, also require restoration. Several bones, such as the mandible and girdle, have cracks and may take another two weeks to repair,” he said.

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He further stated that insect-related damage is no longer a concern. “The skeleton has been treated with pesticides and insecticides during the chemical process, and oxidation caused while the body was buried has also been removed,” he added.

Research Value and Display Timeline

Highlighting the significance of the project, Panigrahi said preserving the skeleton would aid scientific research. “This will help in studies related to toxicology, forensics, behaviour, and other aspects of elephant biology,” he said.

An official associated with the project said the bones would take about a week to dry completely. “The bones will be covered with protective mesh to prevent birds from carrying away smaller fragments. Once the drying is complete, the chemical odour will subside,” the official said.

He added that cracks would be repaired using fibre or Plaster of Paris, followed by colouring in the final stage. “Repair work will be prioritised. If all processes proceed as planned, the entire preservation work is expected to be completed within three months,” the official said.