Pune: Indian Gaur Gets Stuck Between Two Pipelines; Safely Rescued After a Coordinated Operation
Pune, July 01, 2026: On Tuesday, a sub-adult male Indian gaur (Bos gaurus) weighing over 700 kg got wedged between two massive Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) water supply pipelines at Vishranti Nagar, on Canal Road off Sinhagad Road. The animal was rescued in a highly coordinated and technically challenging operation.
The animal, also known as an Indian Bison, is believed to have ventured into the city outskirts from nearby forested patches before slipping into the narrow gap between the enclosed pipelines.
The incident came to light around 11:50 AM when an alert local resident spotted the trapped wildlife and sounded the alarm. The Pune Forest Division immediately mobilized a multi-agency response, bringing together the Fire Brigade, Pune City Police, PMC, and technical field operation teams from the RESQ Charitable Trust.
Given the extremely confined space, rescue officials described the situation as highly volatile and complex. To prevent injury to the animal and ensure the safety of the teams, an experienced RESQ wildlife veterinarian tranquilized the gaur on-site. Once sedated, rescue crews secured the 700 kg animal with specialized straps and utilized a crane to lift it clear of the pipelines.
Following the extraction, the gaur was carefully settled into a sternal position to protect its airway, brought out of sedation, and subjected to a preliminary veterinary examination.
“The safety and welfare of wildlife remain our highest priority,” said Abhijeet Waykos, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Pune Forest Division, who personally led the operation under the guidance of CF Ashish Thakrey. “This rescue operation was technically demanding due to the confined space between the water supply pipelines. However, through coordinated efforts, the gaur was rescued safely.”
Officials emphasized that the success of the operation relied heavily on preparation and seamless inter-agency cooperation rather than luck. The field execution was carried out by Manoj Barbole, Range Forest Officer (Bhamburda Range), alongside foresters, guards, and RESQ technical teams.
The gaur has been shifted to the Forest Department’s Transit Treatment Centre at Bavdhan for medical evaluation, observation, and rehabilitation. Forest officials confirmed that once the animal fully recovers, it will be released back into a suitable natural habitat in accordance with established wildlife protocols.
