A wild elephant was rescued by forest department officials after it slipped and fell into a dry ditch.


The incident occurred in Omkar Wildlife Range, Devarashettipura village of Nanjangud Taluk, Mysore District, Karnataka, southern India, on May 7.

Visuals from the spot show a massive wild elephant trapped inside a pit, struggling to climb out. Despite repeated attempts, it fails to find footing and lets out loud trumpeting sounds, likely out of distress. Locals, upon hearing the noise, alerted forest officials, who quickly arrived at the scene with a JCB machine. The rescue team began digging the sloped edge of the pit to create a pathway for the elephant to walk out. After some time, the elephant successfully climbed the makeshift ramp and stood briefly on the elevated ground. Moments later, it turned and slowly retreated back into the forest.


According to reports, on Thursday morning, at around 7:30 AM, the wild elephant fell into a dry ditch. The male elephant reportedly entered the farmland belonging to a local farmer, Mahadevappa of Hanchipura, in search of food and accidentally slipped into a deep ditch. Startled and frightened, the animal began trumpeting loudly, unable to climb out on its own.

According to Range Forest Officer (RFO) Satish, the elephant’s distress calls drew the attention of nearby villagers. Another farmer who witnessed the fall immediately alerted fellow residents and contacted the forest department.

A swift rescue operation was launched by the forest department, with a team led by RFO Satish and Deputy Range Forest Officer Amar. Using a JCB earthmover, the team worked carefully for nearly two hours to lift the animal out of the pit without causing it harm.

During the operation, the panicked elephant, showing signs of aggression, attempted to charge at officials on the ground. However, the experienced forest personnel managed to control the situation and ensured the safety of both the animal and the rescue team.

Once safely lifted out of the ditch, the elephant was carefully guided back into the forest. The rescue mission was met with relief and appreciation from locals who had gathered at the spot to witness the operation.

Forest officials confirmed that the elephant did not suffer any major injuries and was able to walk on its own once freed. The successful rescue highlights the readiness and dedication of the forest department in responding to human-wildlife conflict situations in the region.