COIMBATORE: A day after a dramatic rescue from a slush pit and medical care, the wild elephant was released into the forest near Coimbatore on Monday.

When forest department officials attempted to drive away the female elephant that strayed into Kuppanur village, the animal unfortunately fell into a slushy pit while crossing a farm on Sunday early morning. It’s a partially covered well that was filled with soil and waste by the farm owner.

On receiving information, the forest department officials rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Using three excavators, the slush was cleared, and the elephant was carefully pulled out after nearly three hours of sustained effort by securing belts around its body.

However, it collapsed again due to fatigue. Following several hours of continuous treatment, the animal was lifted once more using a crane. The 52-year-old elephant, visibly exhausted after the ordeal, was given immediate medical attention and fed green fodder and nutritious food to help it recover.

Gradually, it began to show signs of normal behaviour, yet the forest officials kept the elephant under observation. After the elephant regained good health, the forest department decided to release the animal into the forest area.

“As the elephant walked energetically back into the forest, the elephant reportedly turned back, raised its trunk, as if expressing gratitude to the forest personnel and moved away. The elephant has recovered from exhaustion and showed no signs of aggression,” said a forest department staff. Given the elephant’s old age, officials have decided to continue intensive monitoring.