Gaur slips into tank, rescued after 4-hour struggle in Coonoor

Coimbatore

The animal, which had strayed out of forest cover, had fallen into the tank at Vandicholai pirivu, a residential neighbourhood around 6 am. On receiving information, a team of Forest Department staff led by Coonoor Forest Range Officer SM Sasikumar rushed to the spot and commenced the rescue efforts within an hour.

The elevated portion of the concrete tank was demolished to the ground level to make way for the animal to get out. However, the animal couldn’t climb up the steep tank despite repeated attempts.

Then, a rope was tied to its body to pull it out while an earth mover was also deployed to push the animal. It finally worked and the animal was brought out of the tank safely.

“We were extremely careful to ensure that the animal doesn’t get hurt during the operation that stretched for about four hours. The animal is in a healthy condition and was fed with grass and water immediately after the rescue. The public should be cautious and inform the Forest Department to drive such straying animals back into the forest,” said Sasikumar.

Villagers identified the rescued animal to be straying in their neighbourhood over the last one week. Upon rescue, the animal was guided into the nearby forest cover.

Coonoor has a large population of gaurs and could be spotted wandering around in residential areas and in the sprawling tea estates.