In a dramatic operation that lasted nearly half a day, a young tiger was successfully rescued from an abandoned well in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district on Tuesday. The big cat, which fell into the deep well near a residential area, was safely lifted out by forest department officials after a complex effort involving draining water and careful sedation.
The Early Morning Discovery and Immediate Response
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday near resident Sadashivan's house in Chittar. Around 5 am, local residents were alerted by unusual noises. Upon investigation, they made a startling discovery: a tiger was trapped inside an abandoned well on the property. The well was over seven metres deep and contained water, posing a significant threat to the animal. The residents acted swiftly, immediately informing the Kerala Forest Department about the precarious situation.
Forest officials rushed to the scene and assessed the challenge. Their primary concern was the tiger's safety and preventing it from attempting a dangerous leap out of the well. As a first precautionary measure, the top of the well was covered with a strong net. A specialized Rapid Response Team (RRT) from Thekkady was also dispatched to assist in the delicate rescue mission.
The Complex Rescue Operation: Challenges and Solutions
The initial plan was to tranquilize the tiger from above. However, a major complication arose. The well contained about two metres of water. Administering a tranquilizer dart to an animal standing in water could have been fatal, as a sedated tiger could drown. Therefore, the team made a critical decision: the water had to be drained first.
This step proved more difficult than anticipated. The forest department brought in a pump set to remove the water, but the distressed and powerful tiger damaged the equipment during the first attempt. After several hours of persistent effort, the team managed to lower a motor pipe successfully and began draining the well. As the water level receded, a new fear emerged: the tiger might find footing and leap out. To ensure public safety, local residents were temporarily evacuated from the immediate area.
Successful Sedation and Safe Recovery
Once the water was drained, the expert team from the Thekkady RRT carefully took aim. A tranquilizer dart was successfully shot, sedating the majestic animal. The operation was overseen by a team of four expert veterinary doctors from the forest department to ensure the tiger's wellbeing throughout the process. After confirming the tiger was fully sedated, rescuers used a net to carefully lift the heavy animal out of the well.
The rescued tiger, identified as approximately three years old and in healthy condition, was then placed into a secure cage. It was transported about 150 metres to a waiting forest department vehicle and taken to the Chittar forest station for observation. The entire rescue mission, from discovery to recovery, took about 11 hours of coordinated effort.
Aftercare and Future Release into the Wild
Forest department officials confirmed the tiger's health was good following the ordeal. The current plan is to release the animal back into its natural habitat. The designated release site is the Gavi forest, a protected area within the Periyar Tiger Reserve landscape. A final medical examination will be conducted to ensure the tiger has fully recovered from the stress of the incident and the sedation before it is set free.
This successful rescue highlights the coordinated efforts of the Kerala Forest Department's rapid response teams and the cooperation of local communities in human-wildlife conflict situations. It also underscores the challenges wildlife faces near human settlements and the importance of securing abandoned structures like open wells.
