In a heartening display of dedication, the Forest Department’s Rapid Response Team (RRT) successfully rescued a leopard from a treacherous 15-foot-deep well in Perumpoola, near Koodaranhi in Kozhikode district. The dramatic rescue, which concluded in the early hours of Sunday, October 19, 2025, brought an end to a five-day ordeal for the big cat. Fire and Rescue Services officials also played a crucial role in this challenging operation.
Remarkably, the leopard was found to be in good health despite its prolonged entrapment. It will undergo a thorough fitness check-up by an expert veterinary squad before being carefully released back into its natural forest habitat. The specialized trap used for the rescue was set up on Saturday, October 18, 2025, after many painstaking hours of work in the challenging and risky well environment.
The plight of the majestic creature came to light within hours of its fall on October 14, when local residents discovered it. However, confirming its presence and condition proved difficult until camera traps were deployed to capture clear visuals from deep within the well. Once confirmed, rescue efforts were immediately launched. To ensure the leopard’s survival during the extensive operation, the dedicated rescue team provided it with regular food and water.
Throughout the tense period, a special squad remained on site, continuously monitoring the situation. Senior Forest Department officials also arrived to oversee the progress of the rescue. Department sources confirmed that the successful retrieval was the culmination of five days of relentless and challenging work, compounded by the fact that the animal was initially hiding within a cave-like recess inside the well, making the operation even more complex and risky.