Journalism of Courage
The wild elephant that strayed into the town stands after authorities shot it with a tranquilizer gun at Siliguri in West Bengal state, on February 10, smashing homes and sending frightened residents running. As the panicked elephant ran amok, trampling parked cars and motorbikes, crowds of people gathered to watch from balconies and roof tops. (Source: Photo by AP )
The elephant had wandered from the Baikunthapur forest, crossing roads and a small river before entering the town. The panicked elephant ran amok, trampling parked cars and motorbikes before it was tranquilized. (Source: Photo by AP )
Some followed from a distance as the elephant moved through the streets. (Source: Photo by AP )
Divisional Forest Officer Basab Rai said the female elephant appeared to be a loner, and was likely searching for food when it strayed into the town. (Source: Photo by AP )
He said it did not attack any people, and appeared to be afraid of anyone approaching. (Source: Photo by AP )
After several hours, it became clear the elephant was unable to find its way back to the forest. (Source: Photo by AP )
Authorities eventually shot the elephant three times with a tranquilizer gun. (Source: Photo by AP )
The authorities used a crane to lift it into a truck once it had calmed down. (Source: Photo by AP )
It was then taken to a special park for domesticated pachyderms that is maintained by the forest department. (Source: Photo by AP )
Once the effect of the tranquilizer wore off, authorities planned to return the elephant to the forest, said the forest officer. (Source: Photo by AP )
The elephant was finally stopped after about seven hours when it was hit by tranquiliser dart for the second time. As it got drowsy, wildlife officials lifted it onto a truck with the help of two cranes. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul) (Source: Photo by AP )
Additional principal chief conservator of forest P T Bhutia said the wildlife officials managed to prevent any major damage by the elephant. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul) (Source: Photo by AP )
The forest official said the elephant will be examined by vets before being released in Sukhna forest under Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. (Source: Express Photo by Partha Paul) (Source: Photo by AP )
