The Sri Lanka Navy performed an incredible rescue mission for an elephant that was swept out to sea and found struggling to swim 8km from the shore!
This story may be one for the Sri Lanka Navy’s history books! A rescue mission about 8km from the shore of an elephant floating in the ocean!
The elephant was first spotted pushing it’s trunk above the water line. Quickly the Navy along with wildlife officials were deployed to assist in rescuing the struggling animal.
It is assumed that the elephant was crossing the Kokkilai lagoon, a large stretch of water that lies between two areas of jungle, and the current swept it out to sea!
“They usually wade through shallow waters or even swim across to take a short cut, it is a miraculous escape for the elephant.” – Chaminda Walakuluge
The navy mounted the 12-hour rescue after spotting the elephant off the island’s northeast coast. Divers tied ropes to the elephant before towing it gently to shallow waters near the coast. It was released late on Tuesday.
The lucky elephant’s name is Alliya Pulmoddai and he was handed over to the wildlife officials to be cared for. Stories like this really warm our hearts, especially when there is a happy ending involved and one happy and safe animal!
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