Elephant calf rescued from well after hours-long operation in Bolangir

An elephant calf that had fallen into a well near Latasahada village under Muribahal Range in Bolangir district was rescued on Saturday after a prolonged operation involving multiple agencies.

According to officials, the calf accidentally slipped into the open well in a paddy field late Friday night. Upon receiving information, teams from the Muribahal Forest Range, Muribahal Police, Fire Services, and the Bolangir Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) rushed to the spot.

Rescue personnel used a JCB machine to carefully dig and widen the area around the well, creating a safe passage for the trapped animal. After sustained efforts, the team successfully pulled the calf out without any injury.

Forest officials said the calf is safe and expected to reunite with its herd soon, which has been roaming in the Muribahal Range where around 60 elephants are currently moving.

Notably, the elephant herd has been spotted roaming around the Muribahal area since last one year and damaging crops.  A couple of days ago, another elephant calf had fallen into an abandoned well in Bijamal village under Muribahal range in the district.

Though the calf was rescued, it attacked Pradeep Nath, Kendu leaf Forester of Gudighat, during the operation, leaving him injured. He was admitted to Kantabanji hospital.

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Meanwhile, the locals have urged Forest department officials to disperse the elephant herd and demanded adequate compensation for the crop loss.