Female elephant trapped in slush at Gunderi­pallam reservoir dies

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Forest Department officials used an excavator to rescue the female elephant that got stuck in mud at Gunderi­pallam reservoir | Photo Credit: PTI

A female wild elephant, aged about 35 to 40 years, died despite treatment in the early hours of Monday (October 12, 2026) after getting trapped in slush at Gunderi­pallam reservoir in the T.N. Palayam Forest Range in Erode district on the night of October 10.

The elephant had come to the reservoir to drink water when it became trapped in the slush and was unable to move. The water level in the reservoir has receded owing to a lack of adequate rainfall in the catchment areas over the past few months, leaving several stretches dry and the periphery slushy.

On receiving information from members of the public, Forest Department personnel led by Forest Range Officer John Peter rushed to the spot. Personnel from the Sathyamangalam Fire and Rescue Services also joined the operation. The teams extricated the elephant using ropes and belts, with the help of vehicles, including an excavator.

As the animal was exhausted and unable to stand on its own, a veterinary team administered injections and glucose. Forest personnel remained at the spot and monitored the elephant through the night. The teams had planned to resume the operation on Monday (October 12) morning, but the elephant died in the early hours, before it could be resumed.

The carcass was moved to a nearby forest area. Forest officials said a post-mortem examination would be conducted, after which the carcass would be buried.

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