Assam: Tractor tyre stuck around elephant’s neck; Forest Department and CWRC teams pull off hours-long rescue

Assam, 11th September 2026: An elephant in Assam’s Golaghat district was rescued after a tractor tyre became stuck around its neck, with forest officials and wildlife rescuers carrying out an operation to remove it and allow the animal to return to its herd.

The elephant was spotted in the Bokial area of Numaligarh, moving through a tea garden with the tyre lodged around its neck. The sighting raised concerns among local residents, with photographs and videos of the animal drawing attention online. The circumstances in which the tyre became stuck remain unclear.

Following the sighting, the Assam Forest Department and the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) launched a rescue operation. The elephant was tranquillised, and the tyre was carefully removed, according to reports. The animal was subsequently able to return to its herd.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also shared details of the rescue on X, highlighting the immediate response by the authorities.

“Whether human or animal, no one in Assam will remain in distress. In Numaligarh, a tyre was stuck around an elephant’s neck, which posed a massive threat to its life. We took immediate action and removed the tyre from its neck, saving its life and allowing it to rejoin its herd,” Sarma said.

The incident has also brought attention to the risks faced by elephants in areas where wildlife habitats overlap with human settlements and plantations. The Morongi area of Golaghat has previously witnessed instances of human-elephant conflict, with elephants frequently moving through human-dominated areas.

The rescue came a day after another elephant-related operation near Kaziranga. An elephant calf, estimated to be four to six weeks old, was found trapped in a muddy trench at Seconee Tea Estate on September 9. Tea garden workers and villagers alerted authorities after hearing the calf’s distress calls.

A CWRC team led by Dr Bhaskar Choudhury, CWRC Centre Manager and Wildlife Trust of India lead veterinarian, reached the location and rescued the calf. It was found dehydrated and suffering from severe muscular exhaustion and was given fluids and veterinary care.

The team waited for the calf’s herd to return and attempted to facilitate a reunion. However, when the herd did not return, the calf was shifted to CWRC for rehabilitation.

The two incidents highlight the challenges faced by wildlife in Assam’s shared landscapes, where elephants frequently move through tea estates and areas close to human habitation.