Forest officials rescued and released a deer that became caught in an illegal trap in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province on December 30.

The incident took place in a forested area of the Ampara district. 

Footage of the rescue shows the visibly agitated animal struggling to break free of the trap, swinging its body from one side to the other.

A team of forest officials reached the spot, grabbed the deer's horns and proceeded to free the animal.

Injured in the process, the deer was bleeding from its horns.

After officials tended to its wounds, the deer was released.

According to local media, the illegal trap was for wild animals. Locals are reported to set them up for catching food.

Forest officials rescued a deer stuck in a trap in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province on December 30. The incident took place in the forest cover of the Ampara district. 

A video witnessing the incident features a deer struggling to break free of a trap set amongst the woods.

The visibly agitated animal swings its body from one side to the other to free itself from the trap.

Meanwhile, a team of forest officials reach the spot and help the deer out. Upon resistance, the officials nail the deer down and grab its horns. They then proceed to free it from the trap.

Injured in the process of freeing itself, the deer bleeds from its horns. The officials rescue the animal and tend to its wounds. Startled by its surroundings, the deer sits upright. On being nudged by the officials, the animal starts sprinting and disappears into the woods.