Elephant calf rescued after becoming stranded in pit in southern India

An elephant calf that fell into an abandoned pit in south India was rescued by the forest department on September 22.

The rescue operation was carried out in Chakkimedu a hamlet located on the forest fringe area of Vadattupara in Ernakulam district, Kerala.

Residents of the hamlet heard trumpeting of elephants when a herd entered a farm land close to the forest in search of food, before the calf fell in the pit.

When the elephants' attempts to rescue the calf failed, the herd returned to the forest by daybreak.

On receiving word of the situation, a forest team reached the spot and rescued the animal after a two-hour struggle.

An earth mover was brought to break the sidewall and make a slope for the calf to get out of the pit.

Videos from the rescue operation show the baby motionless as the forest department team figure out a way to help it out.

They can be seen using an excavator to dig out the width of the pit to help the stranded animal out.

Some people can be spotted trying to clear out the debris near the calf with their hands.

As a way out is gradually sculpted the exhausted baby can be seen trying to get up on its feet.

Thundathil range officer Mohamed Rafi said that the calf, aged between 3 to 6 months, had scars on its body and a swelling on its left hind leg.

As the injury did not look serious, they have released the calf into the forest.

The herd usually don't accept elephants with serious injuries or disabilities.

Their forest guards are monitoring the calf and if the herd rejects it, they will bring it back for treatment.