An elephant fell into a major canal in northern Sri Lanka and had to be rescued in a two hour operation by forest officials.

The lost elephant had fallen into the Z-D main canal in Maduru in Oya on Wednesday (January 9), after it had tried to get a drink. The Department of Wildlife Conservation was contacted, and with the help of local villagers the elephant was rescued after two hours.

The operation was accomplished thanks to efforts to drive the trapped animal towards a makeshift rope ladder made of tyres and thick ropes which allowed it to climb out.

The rescued elephant was moved to the Giniidamana forest reserve in Welikanda. The elephant was chased a distance into the forest and officials burst crackers to ensure that it won't return again.

An adult elephant had fallen into the Z-D main canal in Maduru in Oya on Wednesday.After conducting 2 hour mission by the Department of Wildlife Conservation with the help of villagers the elephant has been rescued.It has been further reported that this elephant has fallen to the canal when it tried to drink water from the canal.The rescued elephant movied in to the Giniidamana forest reserve in Welikanda.The Elephant was chased to a distance by the forest officials by bursting crackers to make sure that it won't return again.