An adult tusker that had created havoc in Hooghly district was released into the Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar on Monday. The elephant, foresters said, had strayed into Arambagh of Hooghly last week and caused damage in some wards of the town. On Sunday, it was tranquillised and put in a truck for the BTR.
After travelling for around 15 hours, the truck reached the reserve. As the animal had regained consciousness during the long journey, it had to be tranquillised again. A radio collar was fitted on its neck to monitor its movements. Vets were also engaged to examine its health.
In due course, the elephant regained its senses. It was then provided with water and banana leaves.
“Initially, it was unwilling. Gradually, it took the fodder and the water and then walked into the wild. We are monitoring its movements,” said a forester.
Earlier, on October 15, another wild tusker was brought from Jhargram and was released into the BTR. It was also radio collared.
Recently, foresters have found that the elephant had walked towards the Northeast and reached the forests of Meghalaya.