Sundargarh: Forest officials in Sundargarh district successfully rescued a female elephant that had fallen into an abandoned well while attempting to eat jackfruit in Raniberna village under Banki Section of the Rourkela Division.
According to sources, the elephant had strayed into the village in search of food during the early hours of the day and accidentally fell into the disused well. Villagers, upon spotting the trapped animal, promptly alerted the Forest Department.
A rescue operation was launched using a JCB machine to excavate around the well. After several hours of continuous effort, the forest team managed to safely pull the elephant out of the pit.
Officials confirmed that the elephant sustained no major injuries and eventually returned to the nearby forest on its own.
Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Susanta Nanda shared a video of the rescue on his social media handle, praising the efforts of the team.
“A female elephant fell into a ditch last night. Team Rourkella made a path with JCB & with little shoving, elephant was rescued.While returning to wild, it stood for sometimes murmuring blessings to the green soldiers. Salutations to team Rourkella,” he wrote.
A female elephant fell into a ditch last https://t.co/r7JcsW56FK Rourkella made a path with JCB & with little shoving, elephant was rescued.
While returning to wild, it stood for sometimes murmuring blessings to the green soldiers.
Salutations to team Rourkella🙏 pic.twitter.com/HI4TczhPsW— Susanta Nanda IFS (Retd) (@susantananda3) July 5, 2025
