Balangir: In a midnight operation, forest staff rescued a female elephant and her calf after the animals accidentally fell into an abandoned well at Chandrapur village under Muribahal range on Thursday night. The incident came to light after villagers heard distressed calls of the elephants and alerted the forest department.Range officer, in-charge Muribahal range, Dambarudhar Padhan said the rescue operation continued through the night as officials worked carefully to prevent further injury to the animals. With the help of fire brigade personnel, police and heavy equipment, the team created a safe passage along the side of the well, allowing the elephants to gradually make their way out.“The operation required patience and close coordination, as the site was muddy and slippery and the presence of the distressed mother elephant posed additional risks to the rescuers. After several hours of effort, both elephants were successfully brought to safety,” said Padhan.Once freed, the mother and calf moved away from the site and headed towards a nearby forested area. Forest officials said the incident highlights the dangers posed by abandoned and uncovered wells in areas frequented by wildlife. Such open structures can become deadly traps for elephants and other wild animals, particularly at night when visibility is poor.The successful rescue has been welcomed by local residents, who praised the forest staff for their prompt response and dedication to protecting wildlife. The incident also underscores the need to identify and secure abandoned wells located near wildlife corridors and forest fringes.
