...
...
Next Story

Drowning baby elephant rescued from Teesta River by fishermen, reunited with mother in remarkable video

A video showed the rescue of a newborn elephant calf swept away by the Teesta River.

Updated on: Sep 22, 2026, 13:16:36 IST
Advertisement

A dramatic rescue of a newborn elephant calf swept away by the Teesta River has captured attention online after IAS officer Supriya Sahu shared a video of the incident on X. The clip showed how local fishermen and forest officials worked together to save the calf and eventually reunite it with its mother.

A newborn elephant calf swept away by the Teesta River was rescued by fishermen and forest officials and reunited with its mother. (X/@supriyasahuias)
A newborn elephant calf swept away by the Teesta River was rescued by fishermen and forest officials and reunited with its mother. (X/@supriyasahuias)

(Also read: Abandoned by its mother, baby elephant finds new home with Tamil Nadu foresters. Watch)

Sharing the video, Sahu praised the courage and presence of mind displayed by those involved in the rescue, particularly the local fishermen and officials from the Baikunthapur Forest Division.

"What an incredible rescue of a newborn elephant calf swept away by the Teesta River! The courage, compassion and quick thinking of local fishermen, combined with the swift response of the Baikunthapur Forest Division, deserve immense appreciation. Together, they successfully reunited the little one with its anxious mother. Bravo," she wrote in the caption.

Calf reunited with its mother

The video documented the rescue operation as people stepped in to help the young elephant after it was apparently carried away by the river. With the calf vulnerable and separated from its herd, the rescuers acted quickly to bring it to safety.

According to Sahu's post, the coordinated efforts of the fishermen and the forest department ultimately resulted in the newborn being reunited with its mother.

Video draws heartwarming reactions

The post, shared on Tuesday, September 22, received a number of reactions, with social media users applauding both the fishermen and the forest officials for acting swiftly.

(Also read: IAS officer asks 89-year-old Panchayat President her secret to fitness, she says...)

Reacting to the rescue, one user wrote, "What a beautiful rescue. Humanity at its best." Another person praised everyone involved, saying, "Huge respect to the fishermen and forest officials."

Others were particularly moved by the moment the elephant calf was brought back to its mother. "So heartwarming to see the calf reunited with its mother," one user commented.

Another person highlighted how crucial the timely intervention had been, writing, "This little elephant was incredibly lucky to be rescued in time."

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mahipal Singh Chouhan

Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. He primarily covers offbeat, trending and human-interest stories, with a focus on emerging social media trends, online conversations and real-world incidents that capture public attention. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal works on identifying and developing fast-moving digital stories, adding context and journalistic perspective to viral moments while maintaining accuracy, clarity and readability for online audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling. He holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. Beyond journalism, he has a keen interest in history and sports and enjoys expanding his general knowledge.

Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.
Discover the latest Trending News, viral videos, social media stories and unusual events from India and around the world. Stay updated with the topics everyone is talking about.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Notifications

Get breaking alerts directly from the newsroom

Notifications are on!You'll be notified when news breaks