Indian gaur slips into sewage tank, rescued after 4 hours

COIMBATORE: An Indian gaur, which fell into a sewage tank ring was rescued after nearly four hours of effort by the Forest Department in The Nilgiris on Friday.

The animal came in search of food, when it slipped into the tank at an ongoing construction site at a private tea estate in ‘Periya Vandisholai’ area near Coonoor. A group of north Indian workers were staying at the place to raise the building. On seeing the animal, struggling for life, the workers informed the Forest Department and Fire and Rescue personnel.

A joint team of staff immediately rushed to the spot and lifted out the animal after four hours of struggle by deploying earthmovers. The animal, which was found to be in good health, had retreated into the forests.

In another wildlife related incident, a herd of wild elephants damaged a temple along the Gudalur-Ooty National Highways on Thursday night. A herd of elephants have been camping in the foothills of Kokkal in Gudalur over the last few days.

As they were raiding farms and damaging houses in nearby localities, the Forest Department had already advised villagers not to venture out during nights to prevent any negative interaction. Meanwhile, the elephants damaged the temple and continued to stay till Friday morning 3 am forcing vehicle riders to take the stretch with caution.