Fisherman rescues drifting four‑day‑old elephant calf in Teesta River

Four‑day‑old elephant calf was pulled from the Teesta River on Monday morning after being swept downstream near the Gajoldoba Teesta Barrage. Fisherman Bablu Das was on his boat when his phone rang with a warning from gate operator Tapan Das, who had just seen the calf floating in the swift current. Das raised the barrage gate further to keep the calf from hitting the structure. Bablu Das maneuvered his boat alongside the calf and lifted it onto the vessel. The rescue was filmed by on‑lookers and later shared online. After being brought to shore, the calf was guided back to its herd, where it was reunited with its mother. The incident highlights the rapid response of local river workers and fishermen when wildlife is in danger. Strong currents in the river had separated the calf from its herd while it attempted to cross near the barrage. The Teesta River, which flows from the Himalayas into Bangladesh, often sees strong monsoon currents that can endanger animals crossing its banks. The Gajoldoba Teesta Barrage, built for irrigation, has a sluice system that can be adjusted by operators. Tapan Das, the gate operator, noticed the calf minutes before it reached the lower gate and acted to keep the water level safe for the animal. Bablu Das, a local fisherman with years of experience on the river, quickly responded to the call. He steadied his boat against the current and used a rope to pull the calf onto the deck. Onlookers recorded the rescue, and the footage showed the calf shivering before being placed on a soft mat. Veterinarians from the nearby wildlife department arrived later to check the calf’s health. They reported no serious injuries and said the calf would likely rejoin its herd after a short rest. The mother elephant, which had been searching upstream, arrived within an hour and nuzzled the calf. Local officials thanked the community for the swift action and reminded residents to alert authorities if they see wildlife in danger. The event was reported on September 24, 2026.