Jalpaiguri, Sept. 21 -- A days-old elephant calf was rescued from the Teesta River on Monday morning after five fishermen spotted it being swept away by the strong current following the release of water from the Gajoldoba barrage. The fishermen chased the calf for nearly four kilometres in two boats before pulling it to safety.
The five members of the North Bengal Fishermen's Forum - Mithu Das, Bishwanath Das, Rajesh Das, Gopal Das and Bablu Das - were fishing in the Teesta when they noticed the calf struggling in the water and trumpeting for help.
The fishermen immediately steered their boats towards the calf. Mithu Das and Gopal Das said they followed it for nearly four kilometres along the river, reaching close to Kranti, before managing to pull it onto one of the boats.
The calf was brought safely to the riverbank and handed over to Forest Department personnel of the Kathambari Range. Personnel from several ranges of the Baikunthapur Forest Division rushed to the spot after receiving the information and coordinated the operation. According to the Forest Department, the calf was only 3-4 days old. The calf was later taken towards Nipania forest village and released near a herd of elephants. After nearly two hours of efforts, forest personnel reunited it with its mother near a Teesta River char at Gajoldoba.
The circumstances in which the calf entered the river remain unclear. Forest personnel are monitoring its physical condition and the movement of the herd. A forest official of the Baikunthapur Forest Division said:
"We are extremely grateful to the fishermen for rescuing the elephant calf. The Forest Department will reward them for their efforts. After the rescue, the calf was taken through Gajoldoba towards Nipania forest village and released near a herd of elephants. The herd has accepted the calf." The rescue has been widely appreciated locally, highlighting the role of residents in protecting wildlife in distress.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.