An elephant that fell into an agricultural well in the southern Indian state of Karnataka was rescued following a marathon operation by wildlife officials.

The incident took place at the Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chamarajanagar district on April 23.

Visual shows officials using an excavator to break the wall boundary and facilitate the pachyderm to come out.

Once it is comfortable with the height, the elephant climbs the steep terrain and comes out of the well, much to the delight of the officials.

It then hits the claw of the excavator, which is believed to have been done in self-defence.

According to reports, locals informed the wildlife officials after noticing the elephant struggling to get out of the well.

The operation lasted for nearly three hours, during which locals also helped wildlife officials.