This March, the HEAL field team assisted the West Bengal Forest Department in two separate wild gaur rescue operations in Cooch Behar, ensuring the animals were safely secured and prepared for release back into suitable forest habitat.
The gaur, also known as the Indian bison, is the largest wild bovine in the world and one of India’s most impressive wildlife species. These powerful herbivores play an important ecological role in forest ecosystems. In North Bengal, gaurs are commonly found in forested landscapes such as Buxa Tiger Reserve and surrounding forests, but they occasionally stray into nearby human settlements while moving between habitats.
On 6 March 2026, a male wild gaur rescued from Maltiguri after it was spotted in a garlic field. Members of HEAL, led by Zonal Coordinator Ardhendu Banik, assisted the Forest Department throughout the rescue operation. The team’s quick thinking in using a drone camera to pinpoint the exact location of the gaur helped speed up the rescue effort. After a health check-up, the animal was released into the forests of Buxa Tiger Reserve.
In another operation on 9 March 2026, two adult male gaurs were rescued from the Premerdanga–Shalmara area. The HEAL field team again supported the Forest Department to safely manage the rescue. The animals were administered a sedative by the veterinary team to allow the operation to proceed smoothly.
Following veterinary examination, they were released into Jaldapara National Park’s Patlakhawa Forest Range.
Wild Gaurs may occasionally move close to farmlands between March and May in search of shade and water
Wild Gaurs may occasionally move close to farmlands between March and May in search of shade and water. The Forest Department has advised local residents to remain aware and take necessary precautions during this period.
These successful wild gaur rescues highlight the importance of rapid response, collaboration, and community participation in mitigating human–wildlife interactions and ensuring wildlife can safely return to their natural habitats.
Team HEAL included Roky Sutradhar, Jagadish Das, Subha Dey and volunteers Pankaj Roky, Hritaban Ghosh, Sanjib Barman and Bhaskar Barman.
Other Rescue Operations by HEAL
13 Parakeets Rescued from Cages in Cooch Behar