Back-to-Back Elephant Rescues Highlight Urgent Need to Secure Abandoned Wells in Bolangir
Bolangir district witnessed two dramatic elephant rescues in as many days, underscoring the growing dangers posed by abandoned wells in forested areas.
On Friday, a wild elephant fell into an unused well in the Latasahada forest under the Muribahal range of Kantabanji. Alert villagers quickly informed the forest department, prompting a two-hour rescue operation that successfully freed the animal.
This incident came just a day after a young elephant was trapped in another abandoned well in Bijamal village.
Forest staff, firefighters, and police joined forces to save the calf, though the operation left Tikrapada Kenduleaf forest guard Pradeep Kumar Nath seriously injured.
Officials emphasised that both rescues required significant manpower and swift coordination.
They also stressed the urgent need for preventive measures to secure abandoned wells in forest zones to avoid repeated accidents.
The back-to-back incidents highlight the vulnerability of elephants roaming near human settlements and the importance of community vigilance in safeguarding Odisha’s wildlife.
