The residents of Kusur village in Maharashtra’s Pune district faced a peculiar situation as they found a poor sub-adult Golden jackal stuck in a 50-feet-deep well which supplies water to the entire area.

The locals were shocked to see this young animal struggling to get out of this deep well. Without worrying about their water supply, the villagers, more concerned about the jackal’s safety, immediately informed the Maharashtra Forest Department officials who alerted the Wildlife SOS team at the Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre.

On reaching the site, the forest officials and NGO’s team found that the jackal was completely exhausted and was hanging on to a pipe to prevent itself from drowning. Realising that they must act quickly to save the creature, the team lowered a pole, and the animal was safely rescued with the help of villagers.

Talking to the media about this mission, Dr Nikhil Bangar, Wildlife Veterinary Officer, Wildlife SOS, said: “Open wells, specifically wet wells, can be extremely dangerous as an animal risks drowning in them. Village rescue teams play an integral role in such situations as they act as first responders and can get help immediately. Due to the timely intervention, the Jackal was rescued successfully.”

Protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, jackals play an important role in the ecology and for the health of a habitat. They are omnivores and feed on small mammals, insects, hares, fish, birds and fruits and often venture into human habitats in search of the same.