Punjab Forest Department has rescued an elephant and a Gharial for their safe conservation in the state’s zoological park and Beas River.
The elephant, a 55-year-old female named Lachmi, having serious medical issues, including a nearly blind eye, was rescued by the Forest Department on July 28th from Barnala and shifted to Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park, Chhatbir. After a medical checkup, she was released in Chhatbir Zoo at Dera Bassi, yesterday.
Zoo officials said that on the instructions of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, a case has been registered against those private owners who were responsible for her plight. Sangrur District Forest Officer and his team played a crucial role in the elephant’s rescue.
In another rescue operation, with sustained coordination between the Forest Departments of Rajasthan and Punjab, a 12 feet long adult Gharial has been rescued from Indira Gandhi Canal in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan and has been brought to Chhatbir Zoo for rehabilitation.
Following assessment and approval by wildlife authorities, the animal is proposed to be released into the Beas River Conservation Reserve soon. The conservation reserve is a safe habitat for Gharials in Punjab.
