Bhubaneswar: The forest department successfully rescued four elephants, including a calf, from a pond dug on private land in the Bantala range under the Angul forest division. The operation lasted nearly three hours on Friday.
Details of the Rescue Operation
Forest officials reported that the herd of four elephants accidentally fell into the pond early in the morning. The elephants were part of a larger herd of 30 that frequently roam the nearby forest close to human settlements. The forest department received information about the incident around 5:15 am and promptly dispatched personnel to monitor the situation while arranging necessary logistics for the rescue.
According to Divisional Forest Officer (Angul) Nitish Kumar, the four elephants—three females and a calf whose sex could not be determined—were desperately trying to escape the pond from all directions. However, due to the pond's depth, they were unable to climb out on their own.
Challenges Faced During the Rescue
The pond, approximately 10 feet deep, had been dug by a farmer for fish farming (pisciculture). Upon arrival, forest officials devised a strategy to safely extract the elephants. With approval from higher authorities, they planned to dig a ramp that would provide a safe passage for the animals while simultaneously reducing the pond's height. Deputy Range Officer Prasanna Sahu noted that the elephants appeared stressed during the digging process, but the ramp was completed within an hour.
To ensure the operation's success, villagers were kept away from the area for two primary reasons: to avoid disturbing the elephants further and to prevent any delays in the rescue. Officials used a megaphone and siren to keep people at a safe distance.
Successful Return to the Wild
The pond was located just 100 meters from the forest edge. Once the elephants climbed up the ramp, they promptly walked back into the forest without requiring any additional encouragement. Forest officials confirmed that no further action was needed to drive them away.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in the region, where forested areas border agricultural lands. The rescue operation exemplifies the coordinated efforts of the forest department to protect wildlife while ensuring minimal disruption to local communities.
