Indian elephant that strayed into Bangladesh tranquilised

An Indian elephant that was swept across the Bangladesh border in strong river currents over a month ago has been tranquilised before being released in a safari park, officials said on Thursday.

The elephant, that strayed into Bangladesh from India on June 27, was tranquilised at village Koyra in Jamalpur on Thursday.

Veterinary surgeon of the forest rescue team Dr Syed tranquilised the adult male elephant with a metal dart in the afternoon.

After the tranquilisation, the animal lost control and started jumping madly for 10-15 minutes and finally fell into a pond.

Later, members of the rescue team with the help of hundreds of local people lifted the sedated elephant from the pond, The Daily Star said.

Forest authorities said the elephant would be taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur.

The rescue team comprising locals, policemen and administrative officials was led by Tapan Kumar Dey, a retired conservator of forests.

"We fired the shot around 2 p.m., as soon as we saw the animal moving into dry land. He kept walking around but eventually lost consciousness at Koyra Village," veterinary surgeon Syed Hossain told bdnews24.com.

"It will take some time to move him. There are no proper roads here. So we will have to chain him here for at least a few days," Dey said.

--IANS

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