Tusker trapped in wetland for 5 days

From our Correspondent

DIMORIA, May 23: Falling into a man-made trap, a tusker has been battling for life for the fifth day today with the Forest Department not being able to rescue it.

Near Don Bosco University and Amchang Reserve Forest the tusker came along with a herd of elephants on May 19. While grazing on the wetland there, the tusker fell into a ditch dug by people for fishing. With the ditch filled with mud, the elephant failed to get out of it on its own. Being trapped for the fifth day, the tusker has become very weak. In such a situation, the possibility of the pachyderm getting out of the ditch on its own is remote. The only hope left is its rescue by forest personnel.

According to the local people, the forest officials came to know of the incident after two days of the animal languishing in the muddy ditch.

Range officer Jayanta Goswami said: “The tusker came to the wetland along with a herd on May 19. While others went away, it remained trapped. We’re trying our best to rescue it.”

The people of the locality allege that Amchang Reserve Forest is the haven for illegalities like tree felling, illegal timber business and encroachment of forest land as the surveillance by forest personnel is almost nil.

It may be mentioned that a veteriry team reached the spot on the fifth day today.