A dramatic rescue unfolded in <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-no-more-turns-on-dadar-flyover-bmc-traffic-police-work-to-ease-congestion-23437016" rel="nofollow">Ratnagiri </a>after a black panther fell into a 50-foot-deep well in Kolambe village, likely while chasing prey. The incident came to light around 7 am on Saturday, March 21, when people from Kolambe village heard loud growls and discovered the animal trapped at the bottom.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Black-panther-1_e.jpg" alt="Chasing prey, a rare melanistic black panther slipped and fell into a 50-foot-deep well, leaving it stranded and visibly distressed" width="1280" height="720" />Chasing prey, a rare melanistic black panther slipped and fell into a 50-foot-deep well, leaving it stranded and visibly distressed
Locals immediately alerted the forest department, prompting a team led by officials, including Round Officer Lahanu Gavde, to rush to the site. The well had around five feet of water and a rocky ledge where the panther had settled, making the rescue more challenging as the animal remained calm and unwilling to move.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Black-panther-2_e.jpg" alt="Startled by loud growls, villagers gathered around the well and were shocked to find the trapped big cat pacing inside" width="1280" height="720" /> Startled by loud growls, villagers gathered around the well and were shocked to find the trapped big cat pacing inside
<h2>Rescue plan</h2>
Round Officer Lahanu Gavde said, &ldquo;Our priority was to rescue the<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-monkey-shot-with-arrow-near-yeoor-raises-wildlife-safety-concern-23622050" rel="nofollow"> animal safely</a>, but it wasn&rsquo;t moving as it had found the spot comfortable to rest, which made the operation challenging. We then devised a strategy and called in two water tankers. From a distance of nearly 400 metres, water was pumped into the well through pipes to gradually raise the water level and prompt the animal to move."
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Black-panther-3_e.jpg" alt="The forest department rushed in and, after assessing the situation, began a careful rescue by raising the water level and lowering a metal cage into the well" width="1280" height="720" /> The forest department rushed in and, after assessing the situation, began a careful rescue by raising the water level and lowering a metal cage into the well
As the water level increased, the animal was forced to shift and eventually entered the water. That&rsquo;s when the forest department lowered a metal trap cage into the well using ropes. After some time, the animal stepped into the cage, allowing the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-activists-seek-stronger-animal-safety-measures-at-key-crossings-23610393" rel="nofollow">forest department</a> to safely pull it out.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Black-panther-4_e.jpg" alt="After hours of waiting, the panther finally entered the cage. Following a 36-hour-long operation, it was safely pulled out under close supervision. Illustrations/Uday Mohite" width="1280" height="720" />After hours of waiting, the panther finally entered the cage. Following a 36-hour-long operation, it was safely pulled out under close supervision. Illustrations/Uday Mohite
The operation, involving 20 forest staff and over 20 villagers, lasted 36 hours. The approximately five-year-old animal was later examined, found fit, and released back into its natural habitat.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Black-panther-a_e.jpg" alt="The black panther that fell into the well" width="1280" height="720" /> The black panther that fell into the well
<h2>Did you know?</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/Black-panther-5_e.jpg" alt="Rescue team with the black panther after a 36-hour operation in Ratnagiri. Pics/By Special Arrangement" width="1280" height="720" /> Rescue team with the black panther after a 36-hour operation in Ratnagiri. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Melanistic leopards are commonly called black panthers or black leopards. They are found in the forests of the Western Ghats and north-east India and are black due to the presence of excess melanin in their bodies. The colour of their fur is a mixture of blue, black, grey, and purple.
5 Approximate age of the animal

Mumbai: Rare black panther that fell into 50-foot-deep well in Ratnagiri in Kolambe village while chasing prey was rescued after a 36-hour operation

Mumbai: Black panther rescued from 50-foot well in Ratnagiri after 36-hour operation

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Rare black panther that fell into 50-foot-deep well in Ratnagiri in Kolambe village while chasing prey was rescued after a 36-hour operation

Rare black panther rescued from 50-ft well in Ratnagiri after 36 hours

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