Elephant Calf Rescue: Fishermen turn heroes, rescue drowning elephant calf from Teesta | Kolkata News
Jalpaiguri: Five Jalpaiguri fishermen on a small row boat pulled off a miraculous rescue on Teesta as they pulled up a newborn elephant calf on Monday. The calf had been swept away nearly 4 km downstream while its herd was crossing the river near Apalchand forest’s Kathambari range.Spotting the calf struggling to stay afloat, Bablu Das, Mithun Das, Kader Das, Biswanath and Gopal braved the swollen river’s strong currents and rowed their boat to the elephant. The calf was gasping for breath, with its little trunk raised above the water as the waves continued to push it further downstream. Three of the fishermen jumped off and the calf was hauled on to the boat. As the boat returned, the three swam alongside the boat, pushing it against the current.The calf was handed over to forest personnel upon reaching the bank. It was taken to the Kathambari range office and given immediate veterinary care.Earlier on Monday, a herd of five elephants was moving upstream of Gajoldoba Teesta Barrage when currents separated the calf. The fishermen spotted it floating near the 12th spur of Teesta, close to Punjab embankment.Following the rescue, teams from Baikunthapur forest division began efforts to locate the mother. The calf was transported across the barrage to a dry stretch of Teesta riverbed, where the herd was believed to have taken shelter.After nearly two hours of coordinated efforts of foresters, locals and fishermen, the calf was successfully reunited with its mother. The mother elephant approached the calf and was later seen nursing it.Baikunthapur DFO Mudit lauded the fishermen for their timely action, saying it was crucial for the reunion. Elephants often don’t take back calves into the herd if they are exposed to humans for long. During the north Bengal floods last Oct, a calf rescued from Mechi river was rejected by its herd.
