Elephant Trapped in Well as Rescue Efforts Face Protest in Kothamangalam

The rescue of a wounded wild elephant that fell into a drinking water well in Kuttampuzha, Kothamangalam, was temporarily halted on Tuesday after local residents staged a protest, demanding that the animal not be released back into the nearby forest immediately after the rescue.

The elephant reportedly fell into a well located next to a house during the early hours of Tuesday. Forest officials rushed to the spot and began rescue operations, but the mission was interrupted midway as villagers gathered at the site, raising concerns over the animal’s future.

Residents said the elephant has an injury to its trunk and argued that simply rescuing and releasing it back into the forest could pose a threat to nearby communities. They fear the injured elephant may return to human settlements in search of food or water, putting lives and property at risk.

According to local residents, elephants frequently enter the area during the early morning hours, coinciding with the time children leave for school. They urged the Forest Department to ensure the elephant receives proper medical treatment before any decision is taken on its release.

Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 radio station, has learned that residents cited a similar incident from the past, claiming that an injured elephant rescued and released into the forest had repeatedly returned to the area, creating fear among people living nearby.

One villager told the media that authorities should treat the injured elephant first and only then decide on its future. The resident added that releasing it immediately could result in the animal returning to the locality, posing a risk to residents, especially schoolchildren.

Protesters have demanded that the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and the local MLA hold discussions with the community before any decision is made. They have urged the Forest Department to tranquilise the elephant, provide it with proper veterinary care and shift it to the Kodanad Elephant Training Centre for rehabilitation instead of releasing it back into the wild.

Responding to the demands, Divisional Forest Officer P. Karthik said transporting the elephant to the Kodanad Elephant Training Centre was not a practical option under the circumstances. He maintained that, after the rescue operation and necessary procedures, the elephant would be released back into its natural habitat.

The rescue operation remains on hold as officials continue efforts to resolve the standoff with residents. Forest authorities are expected to resume the operation once the situation is brought under control, while balancing wildlife conservation requirements with the safety concerns raised by the local community.