In a dramatic incident early today, a tusker searching for food wandered into Kolthod-Bygod village near Virajpet and fell into an incomplete septic tank. The incident occurred on the property of H.A. Ganesh, who had dug a 20-foot-deep pit for a septic tank behind his house. The pit, measuring 10 feet in width and 15 feet in length, was covered with wooden planks. As the tusker stepped onto these planks, they gave way, causing the elephant to crash into the pit.
The tusker, trapped and struggling to escape, trumpeted continuously. Ganesh, who heard the commotion around 5:30 am, saw the elephant trying to climb out with its trunk protruding from the pit. He promptly alerted the Forest Department, and officials arrived at the scene. It was estimated that the elephant had fallen into the pit around 2 am.
An earthmover was brought in to assist with the rescue. The team began digging alongside the pit, and after excavating half of its outer portion, the tusker was able to climb out with some effort. The elephant was then safely guided back into the nearby Ayyappa Devarakaadu forest.
The successful rescue operation was carried out by Virajpet Division Conservator of Forests Jagannath, ACF Nehru, RFO K.M. Devaiah, DRFO D.P. Sanjith, and staff members C. Arun, Sachin, Vinod, Achaiah, and Harish.