GOLAGHAT: A wild elephant was spotted with a tyre lodged around its neck in a forest area of Assam’s Golaghat district on Thursday, prompting the forest department to monitor the animal and assess the safest way to remove it, news agency PTI reported.According to the PTI report, the elephant was spotted in the Bokial forest block in the Morongi area, which has witnessed recurrent incidents of human-elephant conflict.Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia said he informed senior forest department officials after the elephant was spotted, following which a team reached the area.Saikia appealed to local residents to remain calm and not approach or disturb the elephant, which was already in an uncomfortable condition.The forest department team is monitoring the situation and will decide on the safest way to remove the tyre after assessing the animal’s condition, officials said, according to PTI.The tyre, suspected to be from a tractor, was likely left in the forest and picked up by the curious elephant with its trunk before becoming lodged around its neck, an official said.Wildlife experts have expressed concern that the tyre could cause wounds, restrict the elephant’s movement or lead to other health complications.They also warned residents against chasing or attempting to rescue the animal, saying such attempts could further increase the risk to the elephant’s life.(With agency inputs)
