Elephant found dead in farm well; pulled out after 8-hour operation

COIMBATORE: The 15-year-old elephant ventured out of the Lakkampatti forest area on Sunday night and had gone to quench its thirst in the 50 feet deep well, which had water for up to 40 feet.

As the well did not have a protection wall, the elephant slipped into it. Farmers found it on Monday.

A team of forest department staff from Mettur and fire service personnel took efforts to pull the elephant out. The forest department emptied the well using high power motors. Then, ropes were tied on the body of the elephant, which had died, and pulled out, by engaging machinery. After a struggle for eight hours, the elephant was finally lifted out. After a post mortem, the carcass was buried in the same spot.

A committee formed to study reasons behind the frequent elephant deaths, commenced probe.