Black panther rescued from a well in Ratnagiri after 36-hour operation

Kolhapur: The Ratnagiri forest department successfully rescued a three-year-old black panther that had fallen into a 40-foot-deep water well while chasing prey following a gruelling 36-hour operationThe feline was released back into its natural habitat on Monday after medical clearance.The incident came to light on March 21, when the Pavas Police Station notified forest officials that a black panther and its prey —a calf— had fallen into a well in a mango orchard owned by farmer Dinesh Anant Bhagwat in Kolambe village.A rescue team, led by range forest officer (RFO) Prakash Sutar and equipped with specialised gear, reached the spot immediately. "The well was approximately 12 feet in diametre and 35 to 40 feet deep, containing about 5 feet of water. The black panther was spotted taking refuge in a rocky niche within the well's wall," Sutar said.The rescue proved challenging as the animal refused to enter the trap cage lowered into the well, preferring to stay hidden in the crevice. As a large crowd gathered, local police from Pavas were called in to manage the situation and ensure the safety of both the public and animal.After 24 hours of unsuccessful attempts, officials decided to raise the water level to force the panther out of the crevice and towards the cage."On March 22, we summoned two water tankers, each with a capacity of 13,000 litres. By pumping an additional 26,000 litres of water into the well, we raised the water level, eventually prompting the panther to enter the cage," explained RFO Sutar.Following the successful rescue after 36 hours, a medical examination was conducted by veterinary officer Dr. Ranbhare. The examination confirmed the panther was a healthy male, approximately three years old, with no injuries or wounds. After being fed and monitored, the animal was released into the wild on March 23.The forest department has reminded the public to report any sightings of wild animals in distress or in human settlements via their toll-free helpline at 1926.