Dharmapuri, India: A wild elephant that fell into a well in southern India was lifted out with a crane following a 16-hour rescue mission involving dozens of rangers and firefighters.
Image Credit: PTI
2 of 11
The elephant fell more than 20 metres after it wandered into a village in Tamil Nadu state last week while looking for food.
Image Credit: PTI
3 of 11
"Villagers heard sounds and saw the animal had fallen into the well," said local forest ranger Rajkumar.
Image Credit: PTI
4 of 11
He said they believed it might have been trying to escape from a pack of dogs.
Image Credit: ANI
5 of 11
Frightened at first, villagers called authorities when they realised it could die unless rescued.
Image Credit: AFP
6 of 11
Some 50 rangers and firefighters rushed to the village, where they initially tried to pump water out of the well - but the scared creature kept pushing away the equipment they were using.
Image Credit: ANI
7 of 11
The rescuers then tried shooting the 2.4-metre elephant with tranquilliser darts. "Out of the three times we tried, we succeeded twice," Rajkumar said.
Image Credit: ANI
8 of 11
As night fell, watched on by a large crowd of villagers, rescuers climbed down into the well and attached straps to the sedated animal's feet. They then used a crane to hoist the elephant out upside down.
Image Credit: ANI
9 of 11
It was monitored by rangers for half an hour before being ushered back into the forest.
Image Credit: AFP
10 of 11
India is home to nearly 30,000 elephants, around 60 percent of the wild Asian elephant population.
Image Credit: ANI
11 of 11
A rescued female elephant calf after it fell in an open well at Panchapalli village, in Dharmapuri district.
Image Credit: PTI
This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you.
Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.