Kochi: A wild elephant fell into a well in the Malayattoor area of Kerala's Ernakulam district in the early hours of Tuesday, with rescue operations facing delays as local residents protested against forest officials, citing repeated incidents of human-wildlife conflict.

According to the Forest Department, officials were alerted to the incident between 5 am and 6 am and immediately rushed to the spot to begin rescue efforts.

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However, a senior forest official said residents have been obstructing the operation, expressing anger over recurring man-animal conflicts in the region and demanding action to address the issue.

To rescue the elephant, forest personnel are using an earthmover to create a sloping pathway, allowing the animal to climb out of the well safely.

Officials said rescue efforts are continuing despite the protests, with teams working to free the elephant at the earliest.