Bhubaneswar: Three elephants including two tuskers and a female jumbo got stuck in a muddy pool near Beliapal village forest under Baramba forest division near Athagarh in Cuttack district on Sunday.
The animals sneaked into the village area and people tried to drive them away. While people chasing them, they entered the Kimbhiri nullah near Beliapal and got trapped in the mud.
Locals immediately informed the police and forest department officials who rushed to the spot and started rescue operations.
The fire brigade team, rapid response team, police have camped there to rescue the pachyderms from the muddy water body.
“Soon after we received the information, we alerted the Cuttack Collector and SP, They sent their team. Fire brigade unit along with the rapid response team (RRT) from Dhenkanal and Angul have reached the spot for the rescue of the animal,” said Janjadatta Pati, Athagarh DFO.
“We have made the local people aware of the incident. They have been requested not to gather at the scene. We hope that the animals will get out of the mud on their own by this evening. Still, we have made all arrangements for their rescue,” he added.
The forest department has also brought bananas, and jackfruits for the animals as the jumbos stayed in the mud for over four hours.
An excavator machine has been also hired by the forest department which is being used in the rescue operation.
