In a remarkable act of bravery and compassion, a team of veterinarians in central Thailand saved a mother elephant’s life by performing CPR while her anxious calf looked on.
The dramatic rescue occurred yesterday in Nakhon Nayok following heavy rainfall that caused the two elephants to slip into a deep concrete drain.
The 10-year-old mother and her one-year-old calf fell into the seven-foot-deep hole after torrential monsoon rains made the ground dangerously slippery.
Hampered by the heavy downpour, the rescue operation required a cherry picker to lift the large animals out of the drain.
During the rescue, the mother elephant lost consciousness after hitting her head, placing her life at immediate risk.
Veterinarians acted quickly, performing CPR by jumping on her chest in a desperate attempt to revive her. All the while, the young calf watched in distress as the team worked to save her mother.
The operation took three hours, during which the baby elephant was also successfully pulled from the ditch where she had been trapped since the previous night.
Vets administered three doses of tranquilizers to the mother to calm her down before attempting to rescue her calf. However, the mother lost consciousness after moving toward her baby and hitting her head.
Lead national park veterinarian Dr. Chananya Kanchanasarak, who directed the rescue, explained that it was crucial to sedate the mother to prevent her from calling for help from a nearby herd of 30 elephants. The rescuers then carefully lifted both elephants from the drain using a crane.
Once on solid ground, the veterinarians worked tirelessly to revive the unconscious mother elephant.
Despite fears that the fall may have caused serious head injuries, their efforts paid off as the mother eventually regained consciousness.
The rescue team, including park rangers and veterinarians, watched with relief and emotion as the mother and her calf reunited and slowly returned to the forest, where their herd welcomed them.
Dr. Kanchanasarak reflected on the experience, calling it one of the most memorable rescues her team had ever conducted.
She expressed her gratitude to everyone involved and confirmed that the mother and her baby were safe.
Thailand is home to approximately 4,000 elephants, with about half living in captivity in camps, zoos, and sanctuaries, while the rest roam freely in national wildlife parks.
This rescue carried out under challenging conditions, is a testament to the dedication and skill of those who work tirelessly to protect these magnificent creatures.
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