Forest officials in West Bengal's Midnapur have rescued an elephant from a ditch “by applying Archimedes' principle”. The operation showed how science and innovative thinking can help surmount challenges.
Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan has shared a video of the entire incident on Twitter. He said that the night-time rescue operation was completed successfully in three hours.
“An elephant fell into a ditch in Midnapur. Now, how to rescue it. By applying Archimedes' principle. Watch to believe,” the tweet read.
An elephant fell into a ditch in Midinapur. Now how to rescue it. By applying Archimedes' principle. Watch to believe. pic.twitter.com/1mPs3v8VjC
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) February 21, 2022
As it was not possible to pull the elephant using ropes, the officials and locals decided to fill the ditch with water. As the water level rose, the elephant was able to swim. Soon, the elephant was able to hold on to the ground. People at the site then supported the animal's effort, to climb out of the ditch, using ropes and bamboo.
In a follow-up tweet, Mr Kaswan said, “The information was received by the Forest Department at 1 am. By 4 am, the rescue was completed successfully.”
The information was received by Forest Department at 1 AM in night. Under the leadership of DFO Shri Sandeep Berwal and ADFOs operation was taken up.
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) February 21, 2022
By 4 AM rescue was completed successfully.
Mr Kaswan also gave a quick brief about Archimedes' principle. He wrote, “Archimedes' principle definition: the upward buoyant force that is exerted on a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body displaces and acts in the upward direction at the center of mass of the displaced fluid.”
Archimedes' principle
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) February 21, 2022
Definition: the upward buoyant force that is exerted on a body immersed in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body displaces and acts in the upward direction at the center of mass of the displaced fluid.
The video of the rescue operation has garnered a lot of praise on social media. Till now, it has clocked more than 151k views. A user responded by saying, ”Literally, today, I could understand Archimedes' principle in a real way.”
Literally today I could understand what is Archimdes' principles in real way!!
— Jyotika (@Jyotika87465734) February 21, 2022
One more time it's proved practical is far better than theory.
Another wrote, “Great job. Such deep pits are dangerous for animals at night. Should be covered.”
Great job. Such deep pits are dangerous for animals at night. Should be covered
— Vivek (@Vivek64980627) February 21, 2022
A few applauded the villagers and forest officials for their “brilliant” work.
Brilliant ????????https://t.co/8gt6H4cS2M
— Ankit (@_a_n_k_i_t) February 21, 2022
Thank you to your villagers and all who rescued the elephant.
— chandramo Mettapalli (@chanmett) February 21, 2022
Covered by vegetation, elephants often find it difficult to notice these holes in forests and get trapped.
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