The injured wild tusker that got trapped in a disused well at Koovappara near Kothamangalam being rescued on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement An injured wild tusker, which got trapped in a disused well inside a private property in the residential neighbourhood of Koovappara in Kuttampuzha panchayat, near Kothamangalam in Ernakulam, on Tuesday was rescued and released into the forest desite stiff public protest against releasing the animal back into the forest. The elephant, a frequent intruder in the area with a partially severed trunk, fell into the well around 5 a.m. on Tuesday (July 7, 2026). Forest department sources said the tusker was being closely monitored by officials. The injury to the animal’s tusk is not problematic either as it is healing, said a senior official. Rescue operations led by the Malayattoor Divisional Forest Officer were delayed after residents insisted that the animal, once rescued, should be shifted to the elephant training centre at Kodanad and treated rather than released into the wild. They argued that the injured tusker was incapable of finding …