Decision taken to tranquilize elephant at Kottappady in Kothamangalam; water in well to be drained, says DFO

KOCHI: The Malayattoor DFO informed that the wild elephant that fell into a private well at Kottappady will be tranquilized. It is heard that the elephant will be tranquilized after the water in the well is drained. The 10-year-old elephant slipped into the well Friday morning at around 2. Even after 12 hours, the forest department has not been able to bring the elephant out.

Prohibitory orders have been clamped for 24 hours in wards 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Kottappady panchayat. The elephant will be tranquilized only after examining its health. The elephant suffered injuries on its body while efforts are being taken to rescue the elephant after striking a portion of the well. The elephant was seen trumpeting towards the people.

Wild animals are regularly seen in this area. Complaints were raised by the people in connection with it. A similar incident was reported in Kothamangalam a month ago. Even then, the elephant fell into a private well. The elephant was rescued after hours of effort. Though a JCB was brought to demolish the side of the well, the x locals stopped the act.

The locals demanded that the elephant is a constant nuisance in the place and that it should be drugged and taken away from here. The people have taken a stand that they will not allow the elephant to be released into the forest at a distance of three kilometers through the residential area. The DFO then announced that the elephant would be drugged. Perumbavoor MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly, who reached the spot, said that drugging an elephant is a common act.