Rapid Response Team rescues leopard from well after five days in Kozhikode district

A Rapid Response Team (RRT) of the Forest Department on Sunday (October 19, 2025) rescued a leopard that fell into a 15ft deep well at Perumpoola near Koodaranhi in Kozhikode district on October 14, 2025. The long hours of rescue operation was completed successfully at around 1 a. m with the support of the Fire and Rescue Services officials.

RRT members said the leopard was found very healthy and would be released into the forest on completion of the fitness check up by an expert veterinary squad. They said the trap to rescue the animal was installed after several hours of effort at the risky spot on Saturday (October 18, 2025).

Though a few residents came across the accidental fall of the big cat within a few hours after the incident, a confirmation on the same was pending with the delay in getting clear visuals from the well. Rescue measures were initiated soon after getting the confirmed visuals from the camera trap installed at the spot. To keep the animal alive, the squad had given timely feed.

A special squad had been posted at the spot to continuously review the situation. Senior officers had also reached the spot to review the progress. According to Forest Department sources, the rescue was completed successfully after a five-day long challenging efforts by the special squad as the animal was hiding inside a cave-like hole inside the well.