IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Lost Elephant Runs Amok in Indian Town

A wild elephant wandered from the jungles into a small Indian town.
Image: INDIA-WILDLIFE-ELEPHANT-RAMPAGE
Indian bystanders watch a wild elephant walk through a busy street in Siliguri on February 10, 2016. The adult male elephant was tranquilised and captured by wildlife officials and transported to a nearby forest. DIPTENDU DUTTA / AFP - Getty Images

A wild elephant wandered from the Baikunthapur forest into Siliguri, a small town in West Bengal state, India, on Feb. 10, 2016. The female elephant appeared to be searching for food when it strayed into the town, according to Divisional Forest Officer Basab Rai.

Image: wild elephant strayed in Siliguri, India
A wild elephant that strayed into the town moves through the streets as people run at Siliguri in West Bengal state, India, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. The elephant had wandered from the Baikunthapur forest on Wednesday, crossing roads and a small river before entering the town. The panicked elephant ran amok, trampling parked cars and motorbikes before it was tranquilized.AP

The unexpected guest sent local residents running.

Image: Indian elephant ran amok
AP
Image: People run as they follow a wild elephant that strayed into the town of Siliguri in West Bengal state, India, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016.
People run as they follow a wild elephant that strayed into the town of Siliguri in West Bengal state, India, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. The elephant had wandered from the Baikunthapur forest on Wednesday, crossing roads and a small river before entering the town. The panicked elephant ran amok, trampling parked cars and motorbikes before it was tranquilized.AP

Rai said that the elephant did not attack any people, and appeared to be afraid of them. And it became clear that she got lost and couldn’t find her way back after several hours.

Image: wild elephant strayed in Siliguri, India
The elephant had wandered from the Baikunthapur forest on Wednesday, crossing roads and a small river before entering the town.AP

As the elephant ran amok, trampling parked cars, motorbikes and bikes, crowds of people gathered to watch from balconies and rooftops.

Image: wild elephant strayed in Siliguri, India
Authorities use a crane to remove a wild elephant that strayed into the town after tranquilizing it at Siliguri in West Bengal state, India, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. The elephant had wandered from the Baikunthapur forest on Wednesday, crossing roads and a small river before entering the town. The panicked elephant ran amok, trampling parked cars and motorbikes before it was tranquilized.AP

Eventually the authorities use a crane to take her to a park for domesticated pachyderms after tranquilizing her.