Efforts underway to rescue injured tusker from disused well near Kothamangalam

Efforts are underway to rescue an injured wild tusker trapped in a disused well inside a private property in the residential neighbourhood of Koovappara in Kuttampuzha panchayat, near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam, even as local residents strongly oppose releasing the animal back into the forest once it is freed.

The elephant, a frequent intruder in the area with a partially severed trunk, fell into the well around 5 a.m. on Tuesday (July 7, 2026). Rescue operations led by the Malayattoor Divisional Forest Officer were delayed after residents insisted that the animal, once rescued, should be shifted to the elephant training centre in Kodanad and treated rather than released into the wild. They argued that the injured tusker is incapable of finding food on its own and would inevitably return to residential areas.

“The elephant has been roaming in the region for quite some time, damaging crops and posing a threat to people’s safety. There are other elephant herds in the area as well. Residents also want an additional unit of the forest Rapid Reaction Team posted here,” said Mary Kuriakose, president of the Kuttampuzha panchayat.

Reports suggest the elephant sustained the injury to its trunk prior to the fall. Local residents remain unconvinced by forest authorities’ assurances of fencing along the forest fringes to keep wildlife at bay. “The forest border stretches for several kilometres. It is not practical to fence the entire stretch. Moreover, even as fencing is being installed, existing fences often get damaged by incidents like tree falls and remain unrepaired,” said a resident.

People fear that if the elephant returns to residential areas and aggravates its injury, they may be held responsible. Meanwhile, rescue efforts are in progress, with equipment such as an earthmover brought to the site. Despite public opposition, forest authorities appear determined to release the elephant into the forest and monitor it for a couple of days.