In a captivating rescue mission in central Nakhon Nayok province, Thailand, a team of veterinarians and park staff successfully saved a distressed mother elephant and her one-year-old calf.

The operation, conducted amid heavy rain, involved the strategic use of a boom lift and a digger, coupled with the challenging task of resuscitating an unconscious mother by a dedicated team of three individuals.

The ordeal began when the one-year-old elephant fell into a roadside drainage hole, prompting the anxious mother to guard over her calf. However, in a tragic turn of events, she too stumbled into the hole shortly after being sedated by the rescue team.

To extract the mother from the hole, rescuers employed a truck-mounted boom lift. Simultaneously, they administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) atop the mother while a digger worked diligently to clear away the earth, allowing the anxious calf to climb out of the slippery mud.

Remarkably, once the calf was free, it began nursing from its mother, who had regained consciousness. The successful reunion marked a heartwarming conclusion to the intense rescue effort.

The mother and calf, both safe and sound, were released back into the wild. The entire operation, marked by teamwork and dedication, spanned over three hours to complete.

Dr. Chananya Kanchanasarak, a veterinarian from the Khao Yai National Park Department, shared insights into the challenging aspects of the rescue.

“Engaging with the baby while the mother was in proximity presented challenges, so we administered three doses of tranquilizers. Unfortunately, she moved towards her calf before losing consciousness, resulting in her hitting her head,” explained Dr. Chananya.

She went on to describe this rescue as “one of the most unforgettable operations we’ve conducted,” underscoring the complexity and emotional intensity of the mission.