Rescuers in southern India use mechanical digger to shove elephant to safety from mud pit

A team from India's forest department performed a remarkable rescue yesterday (May 18) of an elephant that fell into a muddy pit.

A team from India's forest department performed a remarkable rescue yesterday (May 18) of an elephant that fell into a muddy pit.

A video of the incident in the Kodagu district of Karnataka state showed the stricken wild animal struggling to climb the steep sides of the pit.

Initially, rescuers attempt to clear a pathway for the wild animal with a mechanical digger.

When that doesn't work, they place the mechanical shovel of the JCB behind the elephant's hefty bottom and give it a big push until it clambers to safety.

The terrified animal then charges the digger repeatedly before rescuers scare it off into the jungle with firecrackers.