An excavator was used to dig free an elephant calf trapped in a ditch in Pantan, Assam, on May 15.

Footage shows the moment the calf was able to climb out of the muddy hole with the aid of the construction vehicle.

A team of about 12 helped in the rescue operation.

In a heartwarming incident, officials rescued an elephant calf that had fallen into a ditch in northeastern India's Assam.

The incident took place in the Pantan forest range in Kamrup district on May 15.

Visuals captured the elephant trapped inside the ditch, with an excavator diligently excavating a pathway for the calf's escape. The elephant emitted a loud cry as locals entered the ditch, exerting their utmost effort to push the animal to safety. After a prolonged struggle, the elephant was finally rescued.

Speaking to Newslions, DFO Dimpy Bora and RFO Dipan Deka said they received a distress call from a villager around 9 p.m. informing them about an elephant calf that had fallen into a ditch. Arriving at the scene by midnight, they immediately commenced the rescue operation. Despite the late hour, their dedication remained unwavering. However, the presence of the calf's vigilant mother complicated their efforts, as she continuously interfered with the rescue process. To mitigate this challenge, they resorted to using firecrackers to distract her and safely move her away from the site. Despite the considerable depth of the ditch, estimated at 10-15 feet, the team remained resolute in their mission.

Led by RFO Dipan Deka, a team comprising 10 to 12 members, including Anupam Das, Vijar, and Aftar Ali, worked tirelessly to free the trapped calf. With the invaluable assistance of local residents from Kotrabari in Pantan RF, they successfully extricated the calf from its predicament. The heartening conclusion saw the calf joyously reunited with its herd, marking the successful culmination of their efforts.