Wild Elephant Rescued After Plunging into Well in Sullia
Sullia: The Forest Department successfully rescued a wild elephant on Monday. The animal fell into a 25-foot-deep, disused well, causing a dramatic incident. The incident took place in Kalcharpe, near Peraje. Local authorities and wildlife personnel responded swiftly and coordinated their efforts.
According to reports, a male elephant, estimated to be between 20 and 22 years of age, became trapped in the well near a plantation owned by local resident Rama Naik. The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 PM on Sunday. The family members promptly notified Forest Department officials upon hearing the trapped animal’s distressed vocalizations.
Responding swiftly to the emergency, a rescue team was assembled and mobilized to the site. The rescue operation commenced at approximately 6:00 AM on Monday. Faced with extracting the large animal from the deep well, the team employed heavy machinery, including a Hitachi excavator, to carefully construct a gradual slope along one side of the well. This painstaking process, aimed at creating a safe and accessible escape route for the elephant, took approximately six to seven hours.
At about 12:50 PM, the elephant climbed out of the well using the makeshift ramp. After emerging, the animal briefly caused concern by heading toward a nearby highway. Forest personnel maintained a vigilant presence and quickly intervened. They managed to redirect the elephant back toward the forest. The team used controlled measures and strategic crackers to ensure safety. Both the elephant and the public remained safe. The animal eventually retreated into the Poovmale forest area.
The coordinated rescue effort involved senior forest officials, veterinary staff, fire and police personnel, and members of the elephant task force. The successful operation was completed without harming the animal. The collaborative efforts of the involved agencies were lauded for their effectiveness in ensuring the elephant’s safe return to its natural habitat.