A 65-year-old man died in a Jalpaiguri tea garden on Thursday after being attacked by a gaur (Indian bison).

His wife and grandson also suffered injuries.

The gaur also died some hours later, after it was tranquillised.

Sources said three gaurs came out of the Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary on Thursday morning. The animals crossed the Murti river and entered Indong tea estate. From there, two animals returned to the forest after some time but the third one entered Kilkot, a tea estate in Matiali block of the district.

Some residents spotted the gaur that was running across the garden. It reached the lanes of the workers’ quarters. Chaitu Mahali, a resident, moved out of his hutment to take his cattle for grazing. Suddenly, the gaur gored him from behind. His wife Lalki, 55, and their grandson Ranak, 12, were nearby. The animal also attacked them and trotted away.

Residents took the injured trio to the nearby health centre at Mangalbari, from where they were referred to the super-speciality hospital where Chaitu died. The other two are still under treatment.

Panicky residents informed the foresters. Soon, a team from the wildlife squad of Khunia and police from Matiali police station reached the spot.

The gaur took shelter in a bamboo plantation. Foresters tried to steer it back to Chapramari but failed. Also, as the hours passed, the crowd to catch a glimpse of the animal grew.

In the afternoon, another team reached the spot from Jalpaiguri and tranquillised the animal. It died soon afterward.

Foresters recovered the carcass and took it to Gorumara National Park. A post-mortem would be conducted to ascertain the cause of death.

Foresters said the family will be compensated according to government rules.

Leopard cub

Residents spotted a leopard cub in a drain at one of the plantations of Jalpaiguri’s Kilkot tea estate on Thursday.

Foresters were informed, who advised people to leave the cub undisturbed so that its mother can take it away.