Wild elephant rescued from slush after mammoth operation

Forest department personnel and locals rescued a wild elephant that had got trapped in slush at Krishnaiahana Katte in Yalandur taluk of Chamarajanagar district on Friday.

A herd of elephants had strayed out of Biligiri Ranganabetta Tiger Reserve (BRT) in search of drinking water in the wee hours of Friday and while the other jumbos moved on, one female elephant got stuck in the slush.

Villagers, who found the jumbo struggling, immediately informed the forest department and took measures to rescue the pachyderm.

According to sources, a herd of four elephants had come to drink water at around 4.30 am on Friday when a 45-year-old female elephant got stuck in the pond.

Villagers tried to rescue the elephant using ropes but as it was not possible, the Forest department brought a crane and rescued the elephant at around 10.30 am. A few minutes after being rescued the elephant ran into the forest.

Assistant Conservator of Forests Nagaraju told DH that the elephant was rescued using crane and ropes. He said the department will monitor its movements for the next three days as the elephant looked tired.

He said if necessary veterinarians would be called to treat the elephant.