How the navy saved Nellie! Elephant swept 10 miles out to sea rescued
CAUGHT up in a strong ocean current, this elephant was swept ten miles from the coast of Sri Lanka.
But luckily, as the animal struggled to keep its trunk above water, it was found by a Sri Lankan navy boat on patrol.
Using ropes as a guide, the sailors managed to steer the elephant back to the island’s north-east coast in an operation that lasted 12 hours.
One sailor even climbed on the animal’s back to direct it towards the shore.
Navy spokesman Chaminda Walakuluge said the animal had probably been swept into the sea when trying to cross a lagoon between two areas of jungle.
He said: ‘It was a miraculous escape for the elephant. They usually wade through shallow waters or even swim across to take a short cut.’ Two more boats joined the patrol boat along with seven naval personnel attached to the Rapid Action Boat Squadron. Officials from the Sri Lankan wildlife department also joined Monday’s rescue to give instructions.
The animal was released from the ropes once it reached shallow waters, and it was handed over to wildlife officials. Elephants use their trunks as a natural snorkel and have a lung structure that is unique among mammals, allowing them to withstand variations in pressure above and below the water.
Avinash Krishnan, a research officer with the conservation group A Rocha, said that, although the animals are capable of swimming that far from shore, the navy’s intervention to help the elephant was probably necessary. He said: ‘They can’t keep swimming for long because they burn a lot of energy.’