Elephant rescued from 45 feet deep well

An elephant, which accidentally fell into a 45 feet deep well in a village on the outskirts, was today rescued by forest and fire personnel.

The 10-year-old male elephant, part of a herd which came in search of water in Kovanur village, accidentally fell into the dry well on Tuesday night and was noticed by the villagers yesterday morning, after it trumpeted.

Efforts by forest department and Fire and Rescue department officials to bring it up, failed to bear fruit yesterday due to non-availability of necessary equipment and personnel, forest department officials said.

With more number of personnel, additionally drawn from police and NGOs, the elephant was brought up with a crane with a belt being tied around its abdomen, the sources said.
 

Earlier, Forest veterinarian Ashokan tranquilised the pachyderm to help department workers get into the well and tie the belt around the elephant, they said.

The personnel toiled for nearly four hours and brought up the elephant safely.

It later proceeded towards the jungle, the sources said.