Forest officials in India's Tamil Nadu were seen treating an ailing wild elephant that sustained what is said to be a deep wound.

Footage shows the estimated 40-year-old elephant being treated by a whole team of officials, some riding on the backs of other elephants.

The tusker was tranquilised and propped up with the help of the other elephants and then had its wound treated a vet.

The injury above the animal's hip was suspected to be from a sharp object, possibly a tree branch.

After its treatment, the elephant was released into the wild and monitored and if further treatment is needed, forest officials will facilitate it.

The footage was captured on January 9.

Forest department of Tamil Nadu state in India treated an ailing wild elephant at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR). The tusker, aged around 40, had suffered a deep wound above its hip caused by a sharp object, possibly a branch of a tree. As the animal was in excruciating pain it had begun to frequent villages where it was easier to find food. It would walk slowly in pain and did not cause any trouble. Forest officers monitored it for two weeks and regularly left fruits packed with medicines for it to eat, which it consumed. As it was not enough On December 28, with the help of two captive elephants -- Sujay and Wasim -- vets sedated the animal, tied its legs and treated the wound. The animal was released in the forest and is being monitored for progress and is said to be improving. “If needed, further treatment will be continued,” said an official.