A newborn elephant calf was rescued from the strong currents of the Teesta River in West Bengal on September 21, 2026, after being swept several kilometres downstream while separated from its herd. Forest officials and local fishermen worked together to save the exhausted animal and reunite it with its mother.How Was the Elephant Calf Swept Away?The Newborn Elephant Calf Teesta River Rescue took place near Gajoldoba in Jalpaiguri district. According to forest officials, a herd of elephants was crossing the river near the Kathambari range of the Apalchand forest when the young calf became separated from its mother.The calf, estimated to be only three to four days old, was carried downstream by the swollen river. Reports put the distance at nearly four kilometres, while Baikunthapur Divisional Forest Officer Mudit Kumar Verma described the calf as having been swept nearly five kilometres downstream.The incident happened as the river was flowing strongly, making it difficult for the tiny calf to remain above the water.Related Instagram Video :Newborn Elephant Calf Found Exhausted After 5-Km Drift in Teesta RiverHow Did Fishermen Rescue the Calf?"Local fishermen spotted the calf struggling in the water near the 12th spur of the Teesta, close to the Punjab embankment. Five fishermen — Bablu Das, Mithun Das, Kader Das, Biswanath and Gopal — used a small rowing boat to reach the animal. "The fishermen brought the boat alongside the calf and pulled it out of the river. Reports said some of the fishermen entered the water and helped lift the exhausted animal into the boat before returning to safety. The rescue was then handed over to the Baikunthapur Forest Division. The calf was taken to the Kathambari range office, where it received immediate veterinary care.How Was the Baby Elephant Reunited With Its Mother?After the Teesta River elephant rescue, forest officials began searching for the calf’s herd. The team moved the calf towards an area where the elephants were believed to have taken shelter.After nearly two hours of coordinated efforts, involving forest personnel, fishermen and local residents, the baby elephant was reunited with its mother. The mother approached the calf and was later seen nursing it. Forest officials said the quick reunion was important because prolonged human contact can create difficulties when rescued elephant calves are returned to their herds.The newborn elephant rescue India incident has since attracted attention after videos of the rescue and reunion were shared online, highlighting the role of local fishermen and forest officials in wildlife rescue operations.Also Read : 18-Year-Old From Jharkhand Creates AI Device to Prevent Human-Elephant Clashes
