2 hrs ago
Fishermen Rescue Elephant Calf Swept Away In Teesta River
A young elephant was carried away by strong water in the Teesta River.
Fishermen saw that the calf was in danger.
They followed it in boats for several kilometres.
The fishermen pulled the calf out of the river and took it to the shore.
Reports disagree about whether two or five fishermen took part in the rescue.
The fishermen then contacted forest officials.
The officials took the calf near a herd of elephants.
Its mother accepted it, and the calf walked back toward the herd.
Fishermen rescued a month-old elephant calf being swept downstream in the Teesta River.
Reports differ on the number of rescuers: one says two fishermen, while another names five.
The fishermen followed the calf for nearly three to four kilometres through a strong current.
They handed the calf to forest officials after bringing it safely to the riverbank.
Forest officials reunited the calf with its mother near a nearby elephant herd.
- Who
- Fishermen, identified in one report as members of the North Bengal Fishermen’s Forum, rescued the calf; forest officials later reunited it with its mother.
- What
- A young elephant calf swept downstream was rescued from the Teesta River.
- Where
- The incident occurred near Malbazar, around Spur Number 12 of the Teesta River, with the rescue continuing toward the Kranti block.
- When
- Monday morning, according to one report.
- Why
- The calf was struggling in a strong current after being carried downstream; its separation from the herd is unknown, though one report linked the river conditions to water released from the Gajoldoba barrage.
Key facts
- Animal
- A month-old elephant calf
- River
- Teesta River
- Rescuers
- Reports differ between two fishermen and five fishermen
- Distance
- Nearly three to four kilometres
- Rescue method
- The fishermen followed the calf in boats and pulled it aboard
- Officials involved
- Forest officials from the Kathambari forest range and Baikunthapur forest division
- Outcome
- The calf was accepted by its mother and returned toward a nearby herd
Quotes
Gopal Das
Member of the North Bengal Fishermen’s Forum who participated in the rescue
“We brought the calf safely to the riverbank and handed it over to forest officials of the Kathambari forest range”
telegraphindia.com
A forester
Forest department official monitoring the rescued elephant calf
“The mother elephant came ahead and accepted the calf. Eventually, they walked towards the herd that was nearby. We are monitoring the calf’s condition”
telegraphindia.com
