A baby elephant was rescued with just minutes to spare after spending over 12 hours stuck in a mudpool.
The young bull was spotted with mud up to its neck by a group of tourists on safari along the Zambezi River in Africa.
He said: ‘Elephants are particularly drawn to these areas and when moving towards the luscious vegetation they become stuck and sink deep into the mud, causing them to dehydrate and loose blood circulation to their legs.’
Sticky situation: The baby elephant was found after 12 hours, stuck with mud up to his neck
Mission begins: Bradley White helps tie the ropes around the elephant’s neck after wetting the mud
Lifesavers: When the rope is secured, the team begins to pull the five-year-old bull elephant out of the mud
‘If they’re not found these animals will eventually die or be eaten alive by vultures, hyenas or any other predator that may be drawn to the petrified screams and bellows for help.
Battle: The elephant is fighting to get out of the mudpool as the rescue team pulls him by the neck
One-two-three-pull: It took an entire team to turn the elephant around in the mud before they could attach the ropes to a car
Desperate: The poor creature fought for his life but struggled to summon the energy after 12 hours in the mud
The Whites and their recovery team used 200 litres of water to cool the baby elephant and to soften the mud which had begun to harden under the hot sun.
Reward: Annelize and Bradley try to motivate the elephant to make one last push by offering it treats
Nearly there: Motivated by the nuts in Annelize’s hand, the baby elephant managed to get its leg unstuck
A shower in my mud bath: Mud is washed from the elephant’s face and eyes by throwing water over it
Finally out: Stretching its legs the elephant is a big shaky – but safe