- An injured elephant has been saved in a huge operation after getting stuck in a canal
- Chompoo, believed to be an Asian Elephant, had lost the use of its back legs
- The creature was lifted to safety by two diggers in a six hour rescue effort
An elephant has been winched to safety by two diggers after it got stuck in a canal in Thailand.
The elephant was rescued from the water in the Province of Lampang, in the north of the country, after its back legs seized up and its was unable to lift itself onto the bank.
Reports suggest that the creature was stuck for more than 24 hours before the rescue mission was launched.
It then took over six hours to rescue the elephant, named Chompoo, and help it walk 500 metres to a truck waiting for it nearby.
Chompoo was lifted onto the vehicle and taken to the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang.
A trapped elephant is heaved to safety by two diggers after becoming stuck in a canal in Lampang, northern Thailand
The elephant, named Chompoo, is thought to have been stuck for more than 24 hours after losing the use of its back legs
It took a 10-hour drive to reach the centre, where Chompoo is now being treated for immobility and will be rehabilitated.
Local vets are said to be concerned about the animal’s hind legs, which remain maimed.
It is not known which species of elephant the animal in the video is, though Asian elephants are popular across the continent.
Local rescuers worked for 10 hours to secure the animal and lift it onto the banks of the canal
A large team of rescue workers was required to help the animal to safety when it was unable to lift its own weight
After being lifted to safety by the diggers, the animal was transported to a rescue centre where it is receiving treatment for its leg injuries
They are found across the region from India to Borneo, though are at risk from elephant trade.
The animals are hunted for their tusks and hide, as well as being used in the tourism industry.
There are thought to be just 40,000 Asian Elephants left region.