
The elephant was struggling to get out, with another trying to pull it out using its trunk and legs. - SCREENGRAB FROM CHINACGMTL./TWITTER
BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): A wild Asian elephant accidentally fell into a mud pit on March 13, while playing with other members of a herd in a forest in Mengla county, south-west in China’s Yunnan province.
Border police who arrived at the scene saw the elephant struggling to get out, with another trying to pull it out using its trunk and legs.
However, as the pit was deep, and the surface was slippery, the trapped elephant was stuck.
Rescuers determined the best chance of freeing the animal was through the use of an excavator.
The driver of the excavator carefully operated the machine to not irritate the herd.
After 10 minutes, an exit ramp was formed for the elephant to finally make its escape.
While walking away, the animal waved its trunk toward the excavator as if to give thanks.
The 2.5 tonne elephant then returned to the nature reserve with the rest of its herd.