Footage shows elephant Sak Surin recovering on Monday afternoon, July 3, following his rescue and return to Thailand from an allegedly abusive temple in Sri Lanka.

Sak Surin was one of three jumbos gifted by the Royal Family to Sri Lanka in 2001 where he spent two decades in a squalid Buddhist temple zoo, being renamed Muthu Raja and given honored roles in religious processions.

However, activists claim Sak Surin was neglected and abused. Zoo staff admitted he had two 'large absences' and a leg injury that they could not treat.

Thai government officials spent around 700,000 USD diplomatically organising the safe return of Sak Surin for medical treatment. Campaigners are also now pushing for the return of the other two elephants gifted to Sri Lanka.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, Acting Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said: 'Sak Surin has been in a good mood because of the cold weather and the rain. He has been relieved of his stress. The mahouts and vets have assessed his condition and everyone is positive. It's a very good conclusion to the situation and a symbol of hope for all elephants.'

The elderly Asian elephant travelled to Chiang Mai province on the Russian Ilyushin Il-76 freighter. The plane took off from the Colombo International Airport in Sri Lanka and landed shortly after 2 pm local time in Thailand on Sunday, July 2.

He was then moved to the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang province, where vets have been monitoring his condition while they begin treatment on the beast's leg injury.

The journey came following claims by the activist group Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE) that Sak Surin was being mistreated, including that he had a stiff leg from a long-neglected injury.

They lobbied last year for the intervention of Thai government officials, who diplomatically asked religious leaders at the Kande Viharaya temple to allow the animal's return to Thailand for medical treatment.

RARE founder Panchali Panapitiya said: 'This is not the end, but the beginning of a new life for Muthu Raja.'