Elephants cross Bengal highway undisturbed as forest staff keep vehicles at bay

Forest officials in Bengal stopped traffic to let a herd of elephants cross a highway safely. The video was shared by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.Forest guards stopped traffic to let a herd of elephants pass in Bengal. (Photos: @byadavbjp/X)New Delhi,Oct 12, 2026 14:42 ISTA herd of wild elephants was given a safe passage across a busy road in West Bengal’s Bagdogra, after forest officials stopped traffic to let the animals cross without disturbance. The heartwarming moment has gone viral as viewers appreciated the team’s efforts to ensure the safety of both wildlife and commuters.The incident was shared on X by Union Cabinet Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav. With over 21,000 views, the post featured a video showing personnel from the Kurseong Forest Division stepping in to manage traffic as the elephants made their way across the road.The personnel created a barrier to prevent vehicles from moving forward while the herd crossed the highway. The accompanying pictures captured the majestic animals making their way across as onlookers watched and filmed the incredibly rare sight on their phones. The officials remained alert, ensuring that the animals could cross without being disturbed by approaching vehicles.Yadav shared the video with a message celebrating the efforts of forest personnel and the importance of protecting wildlife alongside people. “Coexistence on display,” he wrote.See the post:Coexistence on display Foot soldiers of the forest stop traffic to allow a safe passage to elephants in Bagdogra, West Bengal. That’s how we protect people and wildlife together. https://t.co/EkFdGaBysK— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 11, 2026The incident offered a glimpse of how timely intervention by forest officials can help reduce the risk of human-wildlife conflict, particularly in areas where roads pass through elephant habitats.And delightfully, it came amid another example of forest personnel helping protect elephants in West Bengal.In a video shared on X by Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Parveen Kaswan, a forest guard was seen waving a red cloth to alert an approaching train as a herd of elephants crossed railway tracks. The guard's intervention helped avert a potential collision between the train and the animals.Both incidents highlighted the role of frontline forest personnel in protecting wildlife in landscapes increasingly shared by humans and animals.- Ends