Jaldapara Rhino Rescue: The recent floods in North Bengal’s Jaldapara National Park, one of India’s most vital wildlife sanctuaries, have once again underscored the growing vulnerability of wildlife to erratic monsoon patterns. In a dramatic operation spanning several days, nine endangered one-horned rhinos were successfully rescued from floodwaters by forest officials and the state’s disaster response teams. However, the search continues for the tenth missing rhino, believed to have been swept away by surging currents of the Torsa River.
This year’s monsoon has been particularly destructive in the Alipurduar district, inundating vast sections of the Jaldapara park, which shelters over 250 rhinos along with elephants, bison, leopards, and a variety of bird species. As water levels rose rapidly, forest staff and local volunteers worked tirelessly under dangerous conditions to save trapped animals and relocate them to higher, safer grounds.
Heroic Rescue Operation Amid Rising Waters
According to officials of the West Bengal Forest Department, the rescue operation began early Monday when a group of rhinos was spotted stranded near Hollong and Chilapata forest ranges. The department, assisted by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local villagers, deployed speedboats and tranquilizer teams to move the animals to dry land.
One of the rescued rhinos, a calf barely a year old, was found weak and dehydrated. “It was separated from its mother due to the floods but was saved in time,” said a senior forest officer. “The team ensured it received immediate veterinary care and hydration before transferring it to the nearby South Khairbari Rehabilitation Centre.”
Video footage released by the forest department (available on West Bengal Forest Department Official Portal) shows the animals being guided through shallow floodwaters, assisted by trained mahouts and forest guards who risked their lives in unpredictable terrain.
Tenth Rhino Still Missing: Search Intensifies
While nine rhinos have been accounted for, one female rhino remains missing, sparking concerns among conservationists. The animal was last seen near the southern range of Jaldapara, where water levels rose by nearly six feet within hours due to torrential rains upstream.
“We have extended our search perimeter,” said a forest ranger involved in the mission. “Drone surveillance has been initiated, and footprints have been traced along the riverbanks. However, muddy terrain and continuous rainfall are hampering progress.”
Officials suspect that the missing rhino may have crossed into the Bhutanese border area, a known flood escape zone for wildlife. The Border Security Force (BSF) has been alerted, and Bhutanese forest authorities have been informed to coordinate cross-border tracking.
Recurring Pattern of Floods in Jaldapara
Experts point out that this isn’t an isolated incident. Annual floods in the Jaldapara and Buxa Tiger Reserve regions have repeatedly endangered wildlife, causing displacement and occasional fatalities. Conservation biologist Dr. Arindam Dey notes that while floods are natural to the Terai ecosystem, climate change and riverbed siltation have made them more frequent and unpredictable.
“The Torsa River’s heavy silt load and lack of adequate dredging have reduced water flow capacity,” he explained. “This leads to sudden flash floods even after moderate rainfall, putting animals and forest staff at immense risk.”
The Jaldapara floods of 2020 had similarly resulted in the death of two rhinos and multiple deer. Since then, the department has strengthened its flood monitoring units, but this year’s deluge has highlighted persistent gaps in early-warning systems and rescue infrastructure.
Jaldapara Rhino Rescue: Locals Step In to Help Save Wildlife
The human-wildlife relationship in the region played a vital role in the success of the recent operation. Villagers from Madarihat and Birpara came forward to aid forest staff, using makeshift boats and bamboo rafts to divert trapped animals toward safer areas.
One villager, Rupak Das, recounted how he and his team helped steer a disoriented rhino calf away from deep waters. “We’ve seen these animals all our lives; they are like our own,” he said. “When the floods come, we don’t just protect our homes — we protect theirs too.”
The forest department has lauded local contributions, promising to provide compensation for property damage and rewards for volunteers involved in rescue efforts.
Government and NGO Response
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed concern over the situation, directing the Forest and Environment Department to ensure that all affected wildlife receive medical care and safe relocation. “The safety of our animals is as important as that of our people,” she said in a press briefing in Siliguri.
Wildlife NGOs such as WWF India and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) have extended support by deploying medical teams, providing emergency fodder, and supplying equipment like portable pumps and tranquilizers. A WTI spokesperson emphasized the need for long-term solutions: “Flood mitigation in protected areas should not be reactive. We must invest in permanent elevated shelters and better drainage around critical wildlife corridors.”
Challenges of Wildlife Conservation During Monsoon
The annual migration and dispersal of animals during the monsoon is a natural ecological response, but human encroachment and infrastructure near forests have magnified dangers. Highways such as the NH-17 passing through forested areas often turn into death traps for animals escaping floods.
Environmentalists are calling for stricter regulation of traffic and better planning of wildlife corridors to prevent road kills and stress-induced injuries during emergencies.
“Many animals, especially elephants and rhinos, tend to follow old migration routes that now pass through human settlements,” said environmental planner Dr. Meenakshi Chatterjee. “Flood management must go hand in hand with community-based conservation.”
Scientific Perspective on Flood Impacts
Studies conducted by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Forest Research Institute (FRI) indicate that repeated floods in Jaldapara have led to soil erosion, altering grassland composition essential for rhinos and herbivores. Over time, such habitat loss can affect breeding patterns and population density.
Experts recommend introducing controlled water channels, embankment reinforcement, and eco-engineering measures to restore the natural floodplains while reducing risk. A proposal for installing an AI-based wildlife tracking system is also under review by the state forest department, which would provide real-time location updates during emergencies.
The Broader Climate Connection
Environmental scientists link the increased flood frequency to broader climate change patterns across eastern India. The Brahmaputra Basin, which influences the Torsa and other North Bengal rivers, has witnessed erratic monsoon distribution, resulting in alternating droughts and floods.
According to a Down to Earth report, extreme rainfall events in the region have risen by over 25% in the past decade. This has direct implications for both agriculture and wildlife in floodplain areas like Jaldapara, Gorumara, and Buxa.
Hope Amid Challenges
Despite the difficulties, the successful rescue of nine rhinos has brought a glimmer of hope. Videos of the animals grazing peacefully in temporary enclosures have gone viral, symbolizing the resilience of both wildlife and the people who protect them.
Forest officers believe the missing rhino will be found soon. “We have not lost hope,” said one official. “The forest remembers its children, and we will bring them all home.”
As the waters slowly recede, teams continue to monitor vulnerable zones for any signs of distress among other species, including elephants, deer, and reptiles. Efforts are underway to restore damaged habitat, repair anti-poaching camps, and reinforce barriers to prevent animal injuries.
Conclusion
The Jaldapara rhino rescue stands as a testament to human dedication, community cooperation, and the enduring struggle to coexist with nature amid climate uncertainty. It highlights the urgent need for integrated flood management policies that consider both human and wildlife needs, ensuring that the majestic one-horned rhino — a symbol of India’s natural heritage — continues to thrive in the grasslands of Bengal.
For more on conservation efforts in India’s flood-prone regions, visit:
👉 https://www.wbforest.gov.in
👉 https://www.wwfindia.org
👉 https://www.downtoearth.org.in
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