In a heartwarming rescue, veterinarians saved the life of a mother elephant by performing CPR, witnessed by her worried calf in Nakhon Nayok, central Thailand.
The dramatic event occurred after the 10-year-old mother and her one-year-old calf fell into a concrete drain due to slippery conditions caused by heavy rainfall.
The storm had made the ground slick, leading the elephants to slide into the 7-foot-deep hole. The monsoon rains further complicated the situation, making it difficult to rescue the trapped animals.
In response, a team of veterinarians used a cherry picker to help extract the elephants from the drain.
However, the rescue took a dangerous turn when the mother elephant hit her head during the extraction and lost consciousness, putting her life in jeopardy.
Video footage captured the intense three-hour operation that not only pulled the elephants from the drain but also revived the unconscious mother.
Dr. Chananya Kanchanasarak, the lead vet from the national park, explained, “We had to tranquilize the mother three times, but she managed to move towards her baby before collapsing and hitting her head.”
As the mother lay unconscious, her calf, trapped since the previous night, continued to nurse, which provided the veterinarians with some relief.
Park rangers, concerned about the potential reaction from a nearby herd of 30 elephants, opted for a careful approach, calling in the vets to assist.
Once both elephants were hoisted out of the muddy pit with the help of a crane, the vets worked quickly to revive the mother.
Three veterinarians jumped on her chest to administer CPR, fearing that the impact from her fall had caused severe injuries. Thankfully, the effort paid off as the mother elephant regained consciousness.
After the rescue, the mother and calf were left to reunite and return to the forest, where they were expected to join their herd.
Both park rangers and vets watched the emotional scene as the elephants disappeared into the wild.
Reflecting on the event, Dr. Chananya shared, “Despite everything, the mother never left her baby’s side. This rescue will stay with us as one of our most unforgettable experiences.”
Thailand is home to an estimated 4,000 elephants, with about half living in captivity in camps, zoos, and sanctuaries, while the rest roam freely in national parks.
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