Golden jackal rescued from 15-foot well in Maharashtra after 1.5-hour operation

Jackal rescued by forest department and Wildlife SOS. (Pic/Wildlife SOS)

An adult female golden jackal was rescued after falling into a 15-foot-deep open well in Khadkumbe village, Maharashtra, on Monday. Jackal was rescued in a joint rescue effort by the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Wildlife SOS rescue team at Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC).

The distressed jackal was first spotted by local villagers, who promptly alerted the forest department authorities. The Maharashtra Forest Department immediately contacted the Wildlife SOS team at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre (MLRC), and a rescue team was mobilised to the site without delay.

Upon arrival, the team assessed the situation and devised a careful extraction plan to ensure the mammal's safety while minimising stress.

Jackal rescued after 1.5-hour long rescue operation

With coordinated efforts, the jackal was successfully guided into a secure rescue setup and gently lifted out of the well. The rescue was carried out with precision in a 1.5-hour-long operation, ensuring that the jackal remained unharmed throughout the process.

Following the rescue, the jackal, who is said to be 3-4 years old, was examined on-site by the veterinary team and was found to be in stable condition with no visible injuries. According to the official's statement, given her health, the jackal was released back into her natural habitat in a nearby safe location on the same day.

Jackal after being rescued, was released back in the jungle (Pic/Wildlife SOS)

Open well conservation by SOS Wildlife

Open well continue to pose a serious and often overlooked threat to wildlife across rural landscapes in Maharashtra. Recognising this persistent danger, Wildlife SOS, in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department. The organisation has been working to mitigate such risks through its well-covered initiative.

Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO, Wildlife SOS, informed, "Our Open Well Conservation project is a proactive step towards reducing the risks posed by habitat fragmentation. Following this rescue, the open well in Khadkumbe village was also covered, bringing the total number of wells covered under this initiative to 31."

Dr Avinash Visalkar, Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS, asserted, "Incidents like these highlight how vulnerable wild animals are to human-made hazards such as open wells. Fortunately, this jackal was rescued in time and did not sustain any injuries. Immediate response and coordination played a crucial role in ensuring her safe return to the wild."

Moreover, Smita Rajhans, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Junnar Forest Division, added, hailing the collaborative efforts of SOS Wildlife and the Maharashtra Forest Department, "We appreciate the swift response from Wildlife SOS in assisting the Junnar Forest Division to respond to wildlife emergencies. Covering open wells is a critical step towards preventing such incidents, and we urge local people to remain vigilant and report distressed animals promptly."