Female elephant trapped in slush at Gunderipallam reservoir dies
A 35-to-40-year-old female wild elephant died after becoming trapped in the slush of the Gunderipallam reservoir in Erode district. Despite rescue efforts by forest and fire department personnel, the animal succumbed to exhaustion.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the impact of receding water levels and drought conditions on wildlife habitats in the region.
A female wild elephant, aged about 35 to 40 years, died despite treatment in the early hours of Monday (October 12, 2026) after getting trapped in slush at Gunderipallam reservoir in the T.N. Palayam Forest Range in Erode district on the night of October 10.
The elephant had come to the reservoir to drink water when it became trapped in the slush and was unable to move. The water level in the reservoir has receded owing to a lack of adequate rainfall in the catchment areas over the past few months, leaving several stretches dry and the periphery slushy.
On receiving information from members of the public, Forest Department personnel led by Forest Range Officer John Peter rushed to the spot. Personnel from the Sathyamangalam Fire and Rescue Services also joined the operation. The teams extricated the elephant using ropes and belts, with the help of vehicles, including an excavator.
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