Wild elephant rescued from well in Kothamangalam

A wild elephant that fell into a deep well on private property at Kottapaddy in Kothamangalam was rescued by Forest department officials on Sunday (August 31, 2025).

A portion of the well had to be demolished to rescue the distressed elephant, which was around 10 years old.

The Forest department was alerted after residents found a tusker trapped in a well on Sunday morning. Though the forest officials launched a rescue mission immediately, villagers allegedly obstructed the efforts, demanding a long-term solution to the human-wildlife conflict. Kothamangalam MLA Antony John also expressed support for the residents.

The rescue efforts resumed after an intervention by District Collector G. Priyanka, who assured the residents that their concerns would be addressed promptly. A compensation of ₹1 lakh was promised to the landowner before the well wall was demolished. The elephant was then released into the nearby forest.