KOZHIKODE: A wild elephant which fell into a deep open well in Anakampoil in Kozhikode was rescued by a team of forest officers after a 14-hour struggle. The elephant was later released into the forest.

It was some of the forest officials who first saw the elephant trapped inside the well located in the land owned by farmer Jose Kutty. Following this, the higher authorities were informed. Since there was no road to the region, a temporary path was prepared and a JCB was brought in for rescue operation. The well was broken using the JCB and a small pathway was dug to make way for the elephant. It was finally rescued by around 8 pm.

Rescue officials said that the elephant might have remained trapped inside the well for the last three days. has been at least three days since the elephant fell into the well, rescue officials said. However, it did not suffer any serious injuries and was given drinking water and food since it was spotted in the well.

The rescue operation was led by Kozhikode DFO Rajeev, Kozhikode Flying Squad DFO Dhanesh Kumar and Thamarassery Forest Range Officer Sudhir Neroth. It was some of the local farmers who served food for the forest officials during the rescue operation.