Inclement weather had prevented the translocation for the past few days of the animal, which was stranded in the sandbars of Brahamputra river at Sualkuchi in Kamrup (Rural) district on September 29.
It was spotted today 20 km away in Uporhali Baghmari beel (waterbody) at Palasbari by locals who reported it to the authorities, district deputy commissioner S K Roy told PTI.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Suresh Chand said the animal was under stress as it had been washed away from its habitat by the strong currents of the Brahmaputra.
"But now it has had food and its health is satisfactory," he said, adding that it would be the first in the history of wildlife conservation in the country that a rhino would be airlifted.
Roy said the animal has to be transported within an hour of being tranquilised as there was a danger of heart failure after being hit by a tranquiliser gun.
The IAF chopper had been requisitioned from Bagdogra, while specially trained Air Force and forest personnel have been engaged in the airlifting using a special crane and mesh, he said.
Forest guards, veterinary doctors from the Guwahati state zoo and security forces are at the site for smooth conduct of the airlifting process, the DC added.