Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: A wild elephant is roaming Assam with a heavy tyre cinched around its neck. The animal appeared in the Marangi-Bakiyal area of Golaghat district on Thursday. Locals and wildlife watchers fear the debris will cause deep wounds or hinder the elephant as it moves through the forest block.
Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia alerted the Forest Department to the situation. He pushed for a safe removal operation. Saikia told the public, "I had contacted the Forest Department and discussed arrangements to safely remove the tyre from the animal."
Authorities warned residents to keep their distance. Chasing or provoking the distressed animal invites disaster. The region often sees conflict between humans and elephants, and this situation demands caution. Do not surround the elephant. Do not make loud noises.
Forest officials now plan to track the beast to clear the obstruction. They want to avoid unnecessary stress or further injury. The elephant maintains the highest legal protection under India's Wildlife Protection Act, meaning any interference could lead to criminal charges.
Updated at 11th September 2026 at 1:48am
The ordeal ended on September 10. Forest department teams tracked the animal through the Bokial forest block for several hours to assess its condition. Experts ultimately chose to tranquilize the beast in the evening, allowing the crew to cut the debris free without harming the animal.
Assam Environment and Forests Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah confirmed the successful rescue on X, praising the frontline staff for their courage and caution. Officials suspect the elephant snagged the tyre, likely from a tractor, after finding it discarded in the woods and investigating it with its trunk.
Updated at 11th September 2026 at 9:47am
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma weighed in on the rescue, stating, "Whether it is a human being or an animal, it is our responsibility to ensure that no living being suffers in Assam." He added that the now-freed animal has rejoined its herd.
Reports indicate the elephant was initially spotted near a tea garden in the Bakial area. Officials believe the animal likely encountered the discarded tractor tyre while foraging, curiosity leading it to investigate the object with its trunk before the rubber became snagged.
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