In a remarkable display of compassion and teamwork, the Sri Lankan navy recently embarked on a daring rescue mission to save an elephant found stranded five miles out at sea, struggling to keep its trunk afloat. Termed a “miraculous escape” for the creature, the 12-hour rescue operation unfolded off the northeast coast of the island nation.
The initiative, led by the Sri Lankan navy in collaboration with wildlife officials, was launched upon discovering the distressed elephant in the open sea. Navy spokesperson Chaminda Walakuluge provided insights into the operation’s execution.
Divers, working in tandem with wildlife officials, approached the struggling elephant and skillfully secured ropes around it, gently guiding it to shallower waters near the coast. After hours of careful maneuvering, the animal was successfully released back into its natural habitat late yesterday.
The elephant’s ordeal likely began when it ventured into the Kokkilai lagoon, a significant water body situated between jungle areas, and was swept out to sea. Despite the challenges faced, the Sri Lankan navy remained steadfast in their efforts to ensure the elephant’s safe return to land.
Walakuluge explained that elephants often traverse shallow waters or swim across to find more convenient pathways, highlighting the importance of safeguarding these animals as they navigate their surroundings.
This successful rescue operation comes on the heels of a recent incident where the navy, alongside local residents, saved a pod of 20 pilot whales stranded near Trincomalee, a renowned natural harbor for whale watching.
In an image capturing the rescue efforts, Sri Lanka Navy divers can be seen securing a rope around the distressed elephant, symbolizing the dedicated efforts to guide it back to shore. The area where the rescue took place is known for its significant concentration of blue and sperm whales, with the surrounding jungles providing a habitat for wild elephants, underscoring the delicate balance of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in Sri Lanka’s coastal regions.