Guwahati, Sep 10 (PTI) A tyre stuck around the neck of a wild elephant was removed after several hours of effort by forest department personnel in Assam’s Golaghat district, officials said.
The elephant was spotted earlier in the day with the tyre around its neck in the Bokial forest block in the Morongi area, which has witnessed recurrent incidents of human-elephant conflict.
Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia said he informed senior forest department officials, following which a team reached the spot.
The forest personnel tranquilised the elephant in the evening and carefully removed the tyre without causing any injury to the animal, officials said.
Environment and Forests Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said in a post on X that the department acted swiftly after receiving information about the elephant in distress.
“Upon receiving information about a wild elephant roaming in the Morongi area of Golaghat district with a large tyre stuck around its neck, our forest department teams swung into action,” he said.
He said frontline teams undertook the rescue operation with utmost care and caution, and every effort made to safely free the elephant while ensuring the safety of both the animal and forest personnel.
”I appreciate the prompt response, courage and dedicated efforts of our frontline forest teams. Their commitment to protect our wildlife, even in challenging circumstances, is truly commendable,” he added.
Saikia had appealed to locals to remain calm and not approach or disturb the elephant, which was already uncomfortable.
The forest department team monitored the situation throughout the day before deciding on the safest way to remove the tyre after assessing the animal’s condition, officials said.
The tyre, suspected to be from a tractor, was likely left in the forest and picked up by the curious elephant with its trunk, subsequently getting lodged around its neck, an official said.
Wildlife experts had expressed concern that the tyre could cause wounds, restrict the elephant’s movement or lead to other health complications.
They also warned residents against chasing or attempting to rescue the animal as it could further increase the risk to the elephant’s life. PTI DG DG MNB
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