Rescuers battled to remove a nail that was embedded in a wild elephant's foot in Thailand.

Wildlife officers and Khao Yai National Park staff rushed to the scene in Prachin Buri province to remove the sharp metal that had injured the male jumbo named Plai Sarika on October 8

Staff administered tranquilisers to help calm down the large animal, named Plai Sarika, which was in pain and unable to move due to the foreign object lodged in its right front foot.

After rescuers pulled out the nail, veterinarians disinfected Plai Sarika's wound and also gave him a tetanus shot.

They monitored its condition until the drugs wore off and the elephant safely disappeared back into the park's forests.

Khao Yai National Park authorities said they will continue observing Plai Sarika's condition.

Wildlife range Badin Chanthasrikham said: 'Plai Sarika's was injured on the right foot. This was caused by stepping on concrete nails until they settled under their feet.

'After the nail was pulled out of the sole of his foot, doctors cleaned their wounds and put the disinfectant and the tetanus injection. The elephant was also given tablets to speed up his recovery.'

Elephants are the national animal of Thailand. An estimated 2,000 elephants are living in the wild and a similar number in captivity.

In the wild, they roam through the deep jungle and in the country's protected national parks but often encounter humans on roads and in villages. However, they are protected by laws and killing them carries a maximum prison term of up to three years and a fine of 1,000 baht (25GBP).