A heavily pregnant buffalo was rescued by villagers after falling into a muddy pit in Thailand.

Homeowner Champi Promma, 72, found the buffalo named Laem stuck in the pit near her house in Nakhon Nayok on May 9. Because the slopes were steep and slippery, the animal had difficulty climbing back up to safety.

Champi called her neighbour to try and pull Laem up, but the buffalo was simply too heavy for them. She then called authorities for help as the sun was about to set.

Villagers arrived and went down the pit to give Laem a boost as an excavator hauled her upward. She was safely rescued before nightfall.

Champi said: 'This buffalo was probably trying to eat mangoes and fell into the pond. My neighbour and I tried to help it but we failed, so we decided to call the village headman before evening came.'