An injured tusker rescued from a disused well near Kothamangalam
An injured wild tusk that got stuck in a disused well at Koovappara near Kothamangalam was rescued on Tuesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
An injured wild lizard that got stuck in a disused well inside a private property in Koovappara residential area of Kuttampuzha panchayat, near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam, was rescued and released into the forest area on Tuesday amid strong public protest against the release of the animal back into the forest.
The elephant, a frequent intruder in the area with its trunk partially severed, fell into the well on Tuesday (07/07/2026) around 5am. Sources in the forest department said the glider was closely monitored by officials. An animal’s tusk injury is also not problematic as it is healing, said a senior official.
Rescue operations led by Malayattoor divisional forest officer were delayed after residents insisted that once the animal is rescued, it should be shifted to the elephant training center in Kodanad and treated, not released into the wild. They argued that an injured tusker was unable to find food on its own and would inevitably return to residential areas.
“The elephant has been roaming in the region for some time, damaging crops and posing a threat to people’s safety. There are also other herds of elephants in the area. Residents also want another unit of the forest rapid response team to be stationed here,” said Mary Kuriakose, president of Kuttampuzha panchayat.
Reports indicated that the elephant had suffered an injury to its trunk before falling. Locals remain unconvinced by the forest authorities’ assurances of fencing along the forest edges to keep wild animals at bay. “The forest boundary stretches for several kilometers. It is not practical to fence the entire stretch. Moreover, even if fencing is installed, the existing fences are often damaged by accidents such as falling trees and remain unrepaired,” said a resident.
People fear that if the elephant returns to residential areas and worsens its injuries, they may be held responsible.
Published – 7 Jul 2026 15:20 IST