Wild elephant rescued from deep canal near Shivanasamudra in Malavalli

Mandya : In a remarkable wildlife rescue operation, forest officials successfully rescued a wild elephant that had fallen into a deep canal near Shivanasamudra in Malavalli taluk two days ago. The incident highlighted the challenges faced by authorities in ensuring both human safety and animal welfare.

Officials had observed the elephant roaming near a private hydroelectric power unit close to Shivanasamudra. On Saturday night, the elephant inadvertently descended into a canal gate about 20 feet deep, which supplied water to the power unit. The strong water currents prevented it from climbing back out, leaving the animal trapped overnight.

On Sunday, officials noticed the elephant had not managed to escape and understood that it had submerged in the canal. Attempts to coax the elephant to come out naturally by evening were unsuccessful. Subsequently, a special rescue operation was launched under the supervision of DCF Raghu and DCF Prabhu from the Mysuru Wildlife Division. Authorities reduced the water flow in the canal to facilitate the operation.

The rescue team initially fed the elephant and administered tranquilizer drugs through a gun to calm it. Once the elephant lost consciousness, a hydraulic crane was used to attach ropes around its body and lift it onto a container. After ensuring the elephant was safely secured, it was transported via lorry to a safe location away from the canal.

Experts noted that prolonged exposure to water had caused the tip of the elephant’s tail to turn white, and there were signs of potential fungal infection on its legs. The forest department has planned further medical care to ensure the animal’s full recovery.

This operation is being hailed as a successful example of coordinated wildlife rescue involving careful planning, use of modern equipment, and expert handling of wild animals under distress. The forest department continues to monitor the elephant’s health to prevent any long-term complications from its accidental submersion.

The incident underscores the increasing interface between wildlife and human infrastructure in the region and highlights the importance of timely intervention to protect vulnerable animals.

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