Wild tusker buried in the well as efforts to lift it prove futile

A wild elephant, aged about 15 years, died after falling into an open well at Palangala village in Kedamullur Gram Panchayat in Kodagu district yesterday night at around 11.

Efforts to lift the elephant using an earthmover this morning proved futile. Consequently, Forest Department officials decided to bury the elephant inside the well.

The tusker fell into the under-construction well near the house of Palengada Bidappa Shambu. Being an open and dark well, the elephant, that came to the area foraging for food, was unable to perceive the danger.

The well, being dug up under the Employment Guarantee Scheme by the Gram Panchayat near Shambu’s house, was intended for drinking water needs. Workers discovered the elephant this morning when they returned to resume construction.

On information, the house owner and Forest Department officials, including Range Forest Officer Devaiah from Virajpet Division, Kedamullur Panchayat members, and Panchayat Development Officer B. Mani, arrived at the scene with their teams.

A large crowd of villagers gathered as a forest employee descended into the well using support poles and a tree log for assistance. The employee confirmed the elephant’s death.

Efforts to retrieve the elephant using ropes and an earthmover were hindered by the animal’s size and the narrow well.

Subsequently, post-mortem was conducted inside the open well by a veterinarian, who descended in to the open well with the help of logs and ropes and the Forest officers buried the tusker inside it.

After the Forest Department officials decided to bury the tusker inside the well, loads of mud were then dumped into the well using an earthmover and the incident now necessitates digging of another well in the area by the Gram Panchayat.