Siliguri, Dec. 13: The rhino that had strayed out of Gorumara National Park about five years ago and entered the forests of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri was tranquillised yesterday and taken to Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.

Forest sources said the adult male rhino was found near the Teesta river yesterday afternoon and darted. The animal was then taken to Seventh Mile on the outskirts of Mahananda park, about 20km away. It has been kept in an enclosure of the upcoming North Bengal Wild Animals' Park.

"Two days ago, Subrata Palchoudhury, an expert in tranquillising animals, arrived here. Since then, we had been looking for the animal. The rhino was spotted yesterday and the expert, who was riding a pet elephant, tranquillised it," Basab Raj, divisional forest officer (wildlife-I), said. "The rhino would be kept under observation. Later, we will decide whether it would be shifted to Gorumara or kept in the park. The animal is in good shape. Its physical condition is fine."

Foresters said, the rhino known as Kanhela (tilted ear) and another rhino had come out of Gorumara after infighting. "On November 8, the carcass of the other rhino was found in Mahananda. It was poached. Since the, we have been concerned about the safety of the rhino," a forester said.

Since April last year, 11 rhinos have been killed by poachers in north Bengal.#