A moving video has emerged depicting the heroic actions of Mana Srivate, an off-duty rescue worker in Thailand’s eastern Chanthaburi province. In the clip, Mana skillfully performs CPR on a baby elephant believed to be about a month old that was hit by a motorbike. While the distressed calf lay on its side, Mana performed chest compressions with both hands, tirelessly trying to revive it. Nearby, his colleagues came to the rescue of a stunned motorcyclist. Luckily, both of them only suffered minor injuries.
Mana, with 26 years of experience in rescue work, recounted the tense moment when the baby elephant showed signs of survival during CPR. “My instinct was to save lives,” he told Reuters, “but I was very worried the whole time because I could hear the mother elephant and other elephants calling their babies.” He relied on his knowledge and intuition to locate the elephant’s heart, consulting both human anatomy and online resources.
Notably, among countless accidents involving humans, this is the first case of Mana successfully reviving a victim using artificial respiration. After about ten minutes of non-stop effort, the elephant regained consciousness and stood up. It was then removed for further medical attention before being returned to the accident site, as its worried mother waited.
The touching reunion between the baby elephant and his family, although not recorded on camera, was described by Mana. He recounted how mother elephants responded to their babies’ cries, strengthening the bond between them. To prevent the baby elephant from running away, people tied it tightly with a rope, ensuring safety.
Lek, another rescue worker, shed light on the circumstances leading up to the accident, suggesting that the darkness may have startled the elephant and wandered onto the road. The injured baby elephant’s cries alerted staff at the Forest Fire Control office, prompting emergency services to respond quickly.
Reflecting on the stressful ordeal, Mana expressed relief and gratitude that the baby elephant survived its injuries and was reunited with its mother. This encouraging result serves as a reminder of the compassion and dedication demonstrated by individuals like Mana, who go above and beyond to protect and preserve life, no matter what. Which species?