Wild elephant rescued from 20-ft canal after 2-day operation

In a dramatic and meticulously coordinated rescue, forest officials successfully lifted a wild elephant that had fallen into a deep canal near Shivanasamudra in Malavalli taluk two days ago. The operation, led by senior forest officers, concluded late Sunday after hours of intense effort.

Officials at a nearby private power generation unit first noticed the elephant roaming close to the canal area earlier in the week. On Saturday night (Nov. 15), the animal accidentally entered the 20-ft-deep canal through a supply gate meant for channeling water to the power station. With the water flow heavy and forceful, the elephant was unable to climb back up.

By Sunday morning, when the elephant was found missing from the usual movement zone, officers confirmed it had fallen into the canal. They observed the animal until evening hoping it would climb out on its own, but the strong current made escape impossible.

A full-fledged rescue was then launched under the supervision of DCF Raghu and Mysuru Wildlife Division DCF Prabhu. Water flow in the canal was reduced, and officers fed the elephant before administering a tranquillizer shot to safely immobilize it.

Once sedated, the team used a hydraulic crane to secure the elephant with ropes and lift it out. The animal was then placed on a container platform and transported in a truck to a safer location for medical observation. Because the elephant had remained in water for several hours, its trunk tip had turned pale, and officials suspect a fungal infection may have developed on its leg. Veterinary teams are monitoring its health.