A baby elephant trapped for nearly two days in a muddy pit in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district was rescued by the Deomali Forest Division with crucial help from local villagers. The two-hour operation, led by Range Forest Officer Diwang Lowang and his team, successfully freed the calf and guided it back to the forest. In recognition of the villagers’ timely assistance, the Forest Department awarded them a cash prize of Rs 10,000. Officials urged the public to promptly report wildlife emergencies and reminded residents to close pits, as such hazards often endanger elephants traversing the region’s jungle routes.