Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Fishermen Rescue Elephant Calf Swept Away in Teesta River
A very young elephant was carried away by the strong water in the Teesta River.
Fishermen saw the calf struggling and followed it in a boat.
They chased it for several kilometres.
The fishermen pulled the tired calf out of the river and brought it to shore.
They then told forest officials what had happened.
Officials cared for the calf and looked for its mother.
The mother was found near a herd of elephants.
She accepted the calf and moved away with it.
Reports disagree about the calf’s exact age and how many fishermen took part.
Fishermen rescued a young elephant calf being swept downstream by the Teesta River’s strong current in Jalpaiguri district.
Reports differ on the calf’s age, describing it as three to four days, about 13 days, or one month old.
Accounts also differ on the rescuers, identifying either two fishermen or five members of the North Bengal Fishermen’s Forum.
The fishermen pursued the calf for roughly three to four kilometres before pulling it onto a boat and taking it ashore.
Forest officials reunited the calf with its mother, who accepted it before the pair moved back toward the herd.
- Who
- Local fishermen, with help from the forest department, rescued the calf and reunited it with its mother.
- What
- A young elephant calf swept downstream in the Teesta River was rescued and returned to its herd.
- When
- Monday morning, according to one report.
- Where
- Near Spur Number 12 of the Teesta River in the Malbazar area of Jalpaiguri district, with the pursuit continuing toward the Kranti block.
- Why
- The calf had become separated from its herd and was struggling in the river’s strong current; one report linked the conditions to water released from the Gajoldoba barrage.
- Animal
- A newborn or month-old elephant calf; reports give varying ages.
- Location
- Teesta River near Malbazar and Spur Number 12, Jalpaiguri district.
- Rescuers
- Reports identify either two fishermen or five North Bengal Fishermen’s Forum members.
- Pursuit distance
- Approximately three to four kilometres; one report said the calf had traveled nearly five kilometres downstream.
- Rescue method
- The fishermen followed the calf by boat, pulled it from the water and brought it to the riverbank.
- Forest authorities
- The Kathambari forest range and Baikunthapur Forest Division assisted with the rescue and reunion.
- Outcome
- The mother accepted the calf, and they moved toward a nearby elephant herd.
Sources
Five fishermen rescue month-old elephant calf swept away by Teesta - Telegraph India
WATCH: Fishermen Rescue Drowning Elephant Calf In Teesta River's Strong Current After Dramatic 3-Km Chase
Fishermen Race 3 Km To Rescue Elephant Calf Swept Away In West Bengal River
