A wild elephant slipped into a 20-foot-wide canal gate while attempting to drink water on Saturday night. Following a three-hour rescue effort, forest officials, supported by the national disaster response force and police, successfully pulled the animal out from the canal of a private power plant.

The incident took place near Shivanasamudra, in Malavalli taluk, in Mandya district, in southern India's Karnataka on November 18.

Visuals show that a major rescue operation unfolded to save an elephant swept into a fast-moving canal. Teams worked in the rushing water using ropes and a blue ramp to reach the distressed animal. They sedated it for safety, secured it inside a container, lifted it out with a crane and later released it back into the forest.

Speaking to Newslions, Raghu D, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Mandya Forest Division, Karnataka, stated that a large male elephant remained trapped for nearly three days in a canal feeding water to the Pioneer Janno Limited power generation unit near the Bluff area on the banks of the Cauvery River. The situation first came to light on 16 November 2025 around 11:15 am, when officials received information that the young tusker, estimated to be 10 to 11 years old, was stuck in the fast-flowing water channel. Forest department staff immediately rushed to the location, assessed the animal’s condition inside the canal, and began planning an extensive rescue operation.

Senior forest authorities, acting under the instructions of the Forest Minister and senior officers at the department headquarters, reviewed the situation and explored methods to pull the elephant to safety. However, the strong currents from the Cauvery made it impossible to guide the animal out through the canal gate. To stabilise the water flow, officials from KRS Dam and Kabini Dam were contacted and requested to reduce or stop water discharge into the river. In the meantime, teams ensured the elephant’s safety by supplying food and monitoring its movements.

Rescue efforts continued through 17 November. Officers attempted to manoeuvre the elephant toward the exit using ropes, a crane, and even a drone to track its behaviour, but the force of water through the gate repeatedly pushed the animal back. With conditions worsening, the operation was strengthened further, and personnel from multiple forest divisions, wildlife medical teams, and local units camped at the site to coordinate round-the-clock efforts.

On 18 November, a larger, high-capacity crane was brought in. Senior officials including the Deputy Conservator of Forests from Mandya and Mysuru divisions, zoo authorities from Mysuru, and veterinarians Dr. Ramesh and Dr. Adarsh supervised the final phase. The medical team first evaluated the elephant’s health and ensured it reached a suitable position within the canal. Once in place, it was safely tranquilised. As soon as the sedated animal collapsed, doctors rushed in, examined it thoroughly, administered treatment, and prepared it for lifting.

Using the heavy crane, teams hoisted the elephant from nearly 60 feet below and brought it out of the canal. After administering first aid and confirming its stable condition, officers transported the animal to the nearby Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and released it into a secure forest area.

Officials from Pioneer Janno Limited, along with the local administration including the Malavalli Tahsildar, assisted throughout the operation. The Mandya Deputy Commissioner monitored the situation continuously, ensuring all necessary arrangements were made. Additional support came from the staff of the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and the Madikeri forest division, who deployed expert personnel to aid in the massive rescue effort.