'Indian elephant stranded in Bangladesh to be tranquilised, brought back'

Dhaka, Aug 6: Forest officials of India and Bangladesh are planning to tranquilise an elephant that was washed across the border a month ago and transport it back to northeast India via the land route.

The Indian elephant crossed the border from Assam due to the strong currents of the Brahmaputra river.

A team of Indian wildlife experts is in Jamalpur's Sarishabarhi in Bangladesh where the elephant was roaming, bdnews24 reported.

An Indian wildlife officer told the BBC that officials from both nations were working together to rescue the animal.

Assam's Chief Wildlife Officer, Bikash Brahma, said a team of officials was trying to find ways to bring the stranded animal back.

"Our team is working with Bangladesh wildlife officials to help the animal. She is weak and under stress and has travelled more than 100 km in flooded parts of Bangladesh," he said.

Officials were considering "tranquilising her and then bringing her back through the land route" on a truck, he added, according to bdnews24.

Assam forest official Ritesh Bhattacharya said "special" chemicals will be used to keep the elephant's temperature down if its body temperature rises while tranquilising.

A team of 17 rescuers has been staying near the elephant for past few days.

"Preparation for the rescue operation is complete. Tranquiliser gun, drugs, ropes, mahout, foods and the transport are ready," a veterinary surgeon in the team said.

"The local union council chairman and member have been asked to keep a 1 km area empty," the veterinary surgeon added.

The administration will help manage a crane from a nearby factory.

The shrinking natural habitat of wildlife animals has made it increasingly difficult for them to move to safer areas during monsoon floods, BBC reported.

IANS