Angul: Displaying prompt action and exceptional coordination, the Angul Forest Department, with support from the Bantala Police, successfully rescued an elephant that had accidentally fallen into an open well in Champatimunda village under Angul block on Saturday night.
According to officials, the rescue operation was launched soon after villagers informed the Forest Department about the incident. The elephant had slipped into an abandoned open well while wandering near the village and was unable to come out on its own.
A team of forest personnel, led by Forest Ranger Udhab Behera, rushed to the spot and immediately began the rescue operation. To facilitate the animal’s escape, the team used a earth moving machine to dig a slope leading up from the well. After a three-hour-long operation that began at 6 p.m., the elephant was finally pulled out safely by 9 p.m.
Ranger Behera said the operation required police assistance to manage the large crowd that had gathered. “We immediately informed the rescue team. With the help of Bantala Police, we managed the crowd effectively. The villagers fully cooperated with us. We dug a slope using a earth moving machine, and the elephant finally came out on its own,” he said.
Officials confirmed that the elephant appeared unharmed but fatigued after the ordeal. Forest staff remained stationed at the site through the night to monitor its condition and ensure its safe return to the nearby forest area.
The Forest Department’s swift response and coordinated efforts prevented a potential tragedy and have been widely appreciated by local residents, who lauded the team for their commitment to wildlife safety and rescue.
