Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Elephant Herd Accepts Calf After Alipurduar Tank Rescue
An elephant calf and its mother fell into a water tank.
This happened at a tea estate in Alipurduar on Wednesday.
Forest workers rescued both elephants.
The mother then walked into the forest without the calf.
This made the workers worry that she might not take it back.
They guided the calf toward the forest where the herd was staying.
The calf eventually ran into the herd.
The herd accepted it, and the forest workers were relieved.
An elephant calf and its mother fell into an open water tank at Kumargram tea estate on Wednesday.
Foresters rescued both elephants after hours of effort, but the mother entered the forest alone.
Officials feared the mother might have abandoned the calf after leaving it behind.
Foresters guided the calf toward the Kumargram forest and kept it visible to the herd.
The herd accepted the calf later Wednesday evening, relieving the rescuers.
- Who
- An elephant calf, its mother, the elephant herd, and forest officials were involved.
- What
- A herd accepted a calf after the calf and its mother were rescued from an open water tank.
- When
- Wednesday, with the herd accepting the calf later that evening.
- Where
- The incident began at Kumargram tea estate in Alipurduar, and the reunion occurred near the Kumargram forest.
- Why
- Foresters guided the calf toward the herd after its mother entered the forest alone; officials said the calf had not come into contact with humans.
- Location
- Kumargram tea estate, Alipurduar
- Incident
- An elephant calf and its mother fell into an open water tank.
- Rescue
- Foresters moved both elephants out after hours of effort.
- Concern
- The mother left alone, raising fears that she might have abandoned the calf.
- Foresters' action
- They steered the calf toward the Kumargram forest and kept it within the herd's sight.
- Outcome
- The herd accepted the calf later on Wednesday evening.
- Official explanation
- A forest official said the calf's lack of contact with humans may have helped the herd accept it.