Asian elephant set free from water pit in SW China's Yunnan

An Asian elephant falling into a 2-meter-deep water pit is rescued in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan, Sept. 17, 2024. (Screenshot Photo)

(ECNS) -- An Asian elephant that fell into a 2-meter-deep water pit was rescued last Tuesday in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, according to local nature reserve administration.

On September 17, staff at the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve received a call for help, saying that an Asian elephant had fallen into a local farmer’s water pit. A rescue team of over 20 people was sent to the spot. It found that the elephant was exhausted and leaning on the edge of the water pit after trying to get itself out.

The rescue team made a rescue plan based on thelocal environment and health of the wild elephant, deciding to dig a gap in the water pit with an excavator.

At first, the elephant was very alert and resisted the excavator with its nose, but as the soil was slowly removed by the excavator, it began to realize that the team was here to help.

It was finally set free after five hours.

Yang Jun, the driver of the excavator, said, "This elephant was very clever. It cooperated with our rescue operation. “It didn’t leave immediately after being saved but made eye contact with me for two minutes,” Yang added.

The rescue team monitored the elephant using drones for 30 minutes to ensure its safety, confirming that it was in good health and had rejoined the herd in the reserve.