The Sri Lankan Navy was conducting a routine patrol in the summer when it spotted an elephant trying to stay afloat in the sea. The huge animal had somehow drifted away from the shore for tens of kilometers.
Authorities said the animal had lost its orientation due to a strong current while trying to cross a small body of water in a nearby nature reserve.
«Usually they cross small rivers or even swim through them,» the officer explained. The currents proved to be too strong for this elephant, which was swept away. Given the elephant’s inability to save itself in such conditions, the brave naval officers took matters into their own hands.
The elephant desperately tried to stay afloat and continued to breathe through its trunk. The officers put on scuba gear and dove into the water. When they got to the unfortunate giant, they tried to grab him by tying him up with ropes. Even as he writhed in the water, he seemed to realize that he had been saved.
As a result, she remained mounted and allowed the experts to carry out the salvage work. A Navy officer climbed on the elephant’s back to help calm it down. Using ropes, they gradually hauled him back to shore.
Wildlife experts waited for them to reach the shore and examined the wound. They had to make sure the animal was safe and sound before they could return it to the wild.
Thus, the difficult rescue operation ended successfully.
