A baby elephant rescue in West Bengal ended successfully after fishermen pulled the four-day-old calf from the Teesta River and forest officials reunited it with its mother.
JALPAIGURI: A four-day-old elephant calf swept away by strong currents in India’s Teesta River has been rescued by local fishermen and successfully reunited with its mother, turning a dangerous separation into a remarkable wildlife rescue. The baby elephant rescue took place near Gajoldoba in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district on September 21, 2026.
The calf became separated while an elephant herd was crossing the Teesta near the Gajoldoba barrage. Strong currents carried the newborn several kilometres downstream, leaving its mother separated from it.
Fishermen race to reach struggling calf
Local fishermen moved to help after the young elephant was spotted being carried downstream.
eports say the fishermen approached the calf in a small boat and managed to bring the exhausted animal to safety. Reuters footage also documented fishermen rescuing the calf before handing it over to Forest Department officials.
The rescue required cooperation between the local community and officials from the Baikunthapur Forest Division. The calf was subsequently taken into the care of forest personnel and received veterinary attention.
Forest teams search for elephant’s mother
Saving the calf from the river was only the first challenge. Forest officials then had to locate its mother and return the newborn as quickly and safely as possible.
Teams worked with local residents and fishermen to trace the herd. The calf was moved towards a dry section of the Teesta riverbed where officials believed the elephants had gone.
The baby elephant rescue ultimately ended with the outcome everyone involved had hoped for.
Calf reunited with mother after rescue
After the mother was located, officials were able to reunite the calf with her. Reports from the scene said the mother accepted the newborn, and the pair subsequently returned safely towards their natural forest habitat.
The reunion was captured on video and has since attracted widespread attention online, with footage showing the small elephant’s rescue from the river and the efforts to return it to its family.
Community action helps protect wildlife
The incident highlights the important role communities living near wildlife habitats can play when animals encounter dangerous situations.
The successful operation combined the fishermen’s rapid response with the experience and assistance of forest personnel. Together, their actions gave the vulnerable newborn a chance to return to its mother rather than remaining separated from its herd.
Impact to expect
The widely shared baby elephant rescue could draw greater attention to community involvement in wildlife protection in areas where elephant habitats, rivers and human activity overlap. It also highlights how coordination between residents and forest authorities can make a critical difference during wildlife emergencies.
