These are the astonishing pictures of rescuers saving a giraffe that was stuck down a drain.
The incredible images show a huge crowd of kind-hearted volunteers struggling to haul the towering animal out using a ropes and a blindfold.
The unusual rescue mission was launched on Monday after the two-tonne bull giraffe fell into a septic tank at a game reserve in South Africa.
Spot the mistake: The beautiful beast struggles in vain to escape the septic tank it has fallen into
Community Unity: A gathering of local residents comes together to аѕѕіѕt in the гeѕсᴜe of a massive two-ton giraffe at the Marloth Park game reserve in South Africa.
Dr. Cobus Raath, a local veterinarian, recounted the efforts of his team when they were summoned to aid the dіѕtгeѕѕed animal.
He recounted, “Early in the morning, we received a call informing us that a giraffe was trapped in a drain. Upon arriving, we discovered the giraffe lodged within a concrete pit. It appeared that during its nighttime feeding, the giraffe inadvertently ѕteррed onto the concrete lid of a septic tапk, causing it to give way under its weight. While it managed to extricate its front legs, its hind legs remained ensnared, leaving it unable to free itself.”
Dr. Raath elaborated on the steps taken by his team to alleviate the giraffe’s distress. “We chose to blindfold the giraffe and place cotton wool in its ears to help soothe it. Subsequently, we secured
Blind man’s buff: The team cover the giraffe’s eye in an effort to keep it calm as they pull it from the ground
He said: ‘The animal was distressed and had been trying to get out.
‘We decided not to incapacitate him but blindfolded him to try and calm him down.
‘We then called a load of local people who rushed to help and we used ropes and brute force to pull him out of the hole sideways.
‘It was a massive operation and took us about 20 minutes to get him out.’
The pictures of the rescue were captured by South African wildlife photographer Peter Craig-Cooper.
The stricken giraffe, which is believed to be around nine years old, staggered to its feet after being pulled free.
Dr Raath said his team treated the animal at the scene for shock before releasing it back into its enclosure.
Back on his feet: After hours of struggling, the animal gets into an upright position
The lucky animal was today being monitored by staff at its home inside the Marloth Park reserve, which lies in eastern South Africa near the country’s famous Kruger National Park.
It is believed the giraffe had spent several hours stuck in the drain after tumbling into the septic tank overnight on Sunday.
Officials were today working to improve fencing at the private game reserve.
Dr Raath said the freed animal appeared to have coped well despite its ordeal.
‘It has been released back into the park and seems to be doing fine,’ he said.
‘The rangers will keep an eye on him to check for signs of injury, but we think he should be okay.
‘He is lucky that there were so many people on hand to pull him out.
‘It was an unusual rescue to be part of, but we’re pleased to have been able to help.’