A sloth bear that fell into a 40-foot-deep well was freed after a two-hour rescue operation led by Karnataka Forest Department and Wildlife SOS.

A farmer near Tumkur in South India spotted the bear in his well on December 26 after hearing its cries. The sloth bear seemed to have slipped while reaching out for the honeycombs on the periphery of the well.

After receiving his call, rescue officials arrived at the scene on December 27.

They tranquilized the sloth bear and pull the animal out of the well using ropes and a net.

Dr. Nithin Gowda, Wildlife SOS Veterinarian said: “A complete examination was carried out to assess any internal injuries the bear might have sustained owing to its fall. After mandatory observation, the sloth bear was released back into the wild.”

A sloth bear that fell into a 40-foot-deep well was rescued after a two hour rescue operation by Karnataka Forest Department and Wildlife SOS.

A farmer near Tumkur in South India spotted the bear in his well on December 26 after hearing its cries. The sloth bear seemed to have slipped while reaching out for the honeycombs on the periphery of the well.

After receiving his call, rescue officials went to the spot on Dec 27 morning.

They tranquilized the sloth bear and lowered a ladder and a safety net to safely extricate it.

Dr Nithin Gowda, Wildlife SOS Veterinarian said: “A complete orthopaedic examination was carried out to assess any internal injuries the bear might have sustained owing to its fall. After mandatory observation, the sloth bear was released back into the wild.”