Tourists were the first to spot her.
A female adult elephant lodged in the mud along the Galana River in Kenya.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Kenya Wildlife Service Tsavo Veterinary Unit spent six hours in a “monumental effort” to free her from the riverbank last Wednesday.
They used ropes and poles for leverage. As well as a lot of sweat equity.
“Undeterred they set about the task at hand and their determination, patience and substantial effort paid off, as they ultimately succeeded in freeing her from the quagmire,” the organization posted on Facebook over the weekend.
Six hours later, she was free.
“Exhausted and seemingly confused by her ordeal, this beautiful female elephant then found the strength to get back on her feet before slowly wandering off,” the DSWT said.
It wasn’t easy for the rescuers or the elephant.
The trust and the wildlife service said the rescue gave them a “deep sense of satisfaction.”
It also brings something else.
“Yet another reminder to all of the critical importance of our partnership with KWS; working together we could help this female elephant, and our Vet Units have been able to save thousands of other elephants over the years,” the organization added.
