GUWAHATI: Six wild elephants trapped for nearly eight hours in a deep pit at a brick kiln near the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary were reportedly rescued by the forest department on Thursday.
ALSO READ: West Guwahati Commerce College Washroom Gets Quick Makeover After GPlus Report
The incident reportedly came to light when locals spotted the elephants struggling to escape and promptly alerted the authorities. A rescue operation, led by the forest department and aided by a JCB machine, ensured the safe retrieval of the animals without any injuries.
Anshuman Bhuyan, Forest Ranger of the Mariai Range while talking to the media said, “The herd, likely part of a larger group, had wandered into the area searching for food and water. They became trapped in a water-filled pit dug by a brickfield owner. Upon being informed at around 4:30 AM, we mobilized our team and successfully rescued the elephants.”
The Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, renowned for its rich biodiversity and home to endangered species like the hoolock gibbon, has seen increasing instances of human-wildlife interactions due to habitat encroachment.