Bangladeshi Jumbo triggers panic in Agartala

Agartala, April 16 (IANS) An elephant, that entered the northeastern state of Tripura from neighbouring Bangladesh, has triggered panic among people in Agartala, a senior forest official said here Monday.

The forest department is keeping a close watch on the bull elephant and efforts are on to tranquilise it, Tripura's chief wildlife warden Sanatan Talukdar said.

According to forest officials, the pachyderm entered the state's capital city Sunday night through the India-Bangladesh border, which is barely two km west of the city.

"After travelling more than 30 km through western Tripura, the elephant has now entered a reserve forest. Our officials are keeping a close watch on it," Talukdar told IANS.

He said the aggressive behaviour of the elephant might be due to fluctuation in its reproductive hormones, a condition known as Musth, and that the jumbo would be normal within three days.

A team led by divisional forest officer (Sadar) Sushil Debbarma is observing the movements of the animal that reportedly belongs to a circus company in Bangladesh.

"Border Security Force personnel are trying to contact the 'mahout' (elephant keeper) of the elephant," Talukdar said, adding that the animal did not cause any damage to property in the region.