Forest department rescues bison stuck in a gobar gas pit

Punjalakatte, 05 May 2019 [Fik/News Sources]: A bison which ventured out of the forest and into the town fell into a gobar gas pit in Kadabettu village here on Saturday May 4th. The animal had fallen into the pit belonging to one Alfred D’Souza, a resident of Purlottu.

The bison having been stuck in the pit was realized when Mr Dsouza went to the pit to dump waste. He immediately informed the forest department officials of the situation, post which Bantwal Sub Divisional Conservator of Forest Suresh rushed to the spot.

“Speaking of the rescue operation Suresh said, “Since the animal was resisting our attempts to rescue it as it was scared of the gathered crowd, a JCB was procured to dig the ground and lift up the bison carefully.”

Forest officials suspect that the animal must have fallen into the pit on Friday night while chasing another animal.

Environmentalist Kiran Pinto and forest department staff Vinay, Bhaskar, Smitha and Anitha were present.

Scared bison attacks 2 persons

The bison was finally brought to the surface after a three-hour-long rescue operation conducted by the forest department officials with assistance from the public. As soon as the scared animal made contact to the ground, it bolted in the direction of forest. Unfortunately, its haste for safety injured humans standing in its trajectory.

The escaping bison charged into a 13-year-old girl Harsha and an Anganwadi worker identified as Chandravati, who were on their way to home at Kandadi of Kadabettu. The bison’s attack left both of them seriously injured.

Harsha’s left hand suffered a fracture while Chandravati also suffered grievous injuries. Both the injured were immediately rushed to Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru.