Wild jumbo falls into Kothamangalam well; MLA, people protest against forest dept

Kothamangalam: A wild elephant fell into a well on a private land at Kottappady panchayat in Kothamangalam on Sunday, sparking protests from local residents against the forest department for failing to keep straying wild animals away despite repeated complaints. Efforts are underway to rescue the jumbo by demolishing a part of the well. 

The tusker was found trapped inside the well, located in the land owned by Varghese, a resident of Kottappadi, in the morning.

Though the forest officials launched the rescue operation around 10.30 in the morning, it was suspended after MLA Antony John's intervention. He declared that the elephant should not be rescued until the forest department promises a permanent solution for the frequent wild elephant intrusions in the region. 

Later, district collector G Priyanka reached the spot and pacified the MLA and other protesters. She assured the public that a project would be implemented to end the wild animal attacks in the panchayat. Following this, the operation resumed by 12.30 pm.

Before the CPM legislator's intervention, the people also staged a protest, blocking the forest officials from launching the rescue operation. The mission was launched after the Divisional Forest Officer pacified the protesters. A part of the well is being demolished to rescue the jumbo. A ramp is being created using an earthmover.

Manorama News reported that the works are in the final phase.

DFO promises compensation to land owner
The rescue operation was launched after the Kothamangalam Divisional Forest Officer Santhosh Kumar met the landowner and promised him that a cheque of ₹1 lakh would be given as compensation for the demolition of the well. Addressing the media, he said that immediate action would be taken to drive the jumbo back to the forest after it is rescued. He added that as the animal is very weak, tranquillisation is not possible. The forest and police officials will clear people gathered at the site as the jumbo is terrified.  

Observing the ongoing protest, he declared that the forest department would start solar fencing work in the Kottappady panchayat soon. An earthmover is being taken to the site to break a part of the well wall to free the elephant, which was seen struggling inside the water.

The elephant, believed to be around 15 years old, accidentally slipped into the well on Saturday night. Although the landowner refused permission to demolish the well, the forest officials were able to convince him. According to the land owner, a huge number of people are fetching water from the well. 

Residents alleged that the forest department would not compensate the landowner if damage were caused, citing a previous incident. They alleged that the forest department failed to take action to fence in the area, despite the government having approved funds. The protest had previously stalled rescue efforts. 

Visuals aired on Manorama News showed the jumbo raising its trunk and moving restlessly. Locals claimed the elephant had not suffered visible injuries.

In April 2024, a similar incident was reported in Kothamangalam when a wild elephant fell into a well in a rubber plantation at Kottappady. The animal was rescued after a 16-hour operation in which an earthmover was used to construct a ramp for it to climb out.