Naxalbari, 20th November: Panic spread among tea garden workers after an elephant calf got separated from its herd and became trapped inside the Pahargoomiah Tea Estate in Naxalbari.
According to reports, a herd of 10 elephants was moving from the Tukriajhar forest through the Pahargoomiah Tea Garden towards Bagdogra forest on Thursday morning. While the rest of the herd made its way back into the jungle, one calf got stuck inside the garden.
The separated calf moved across different labour lines including Bamboo Line, Girimoni Line and Gumguma Line, causing fear among residents and workers. People from surrounding areas gathered to catch a glimpse of the stranded animal.
On being informed, forest teams from Bagdogra Range, Tukriajhar Range and Ghoshpukur Range rushed to the spot. Even after six hours, the calf remained inside the tea garden, prompting the authorities to halt tea leaf collection work for the safety of workers.
Forest officials said efforts would be made to guide the elephant calf safely back into the jungle after sunset.