A baby elephant that fell into a narrow drain on the side of a road was rescued in Malaysia.

The calf was walking with its mother when it plunged through the 2ft-wide concrete ditch along East-West Highway in Jeli, Kelantan.

Wildlife and National Parks Department officers found the young jumbo stuck in the narrow drain while its mother stood nearby, refusing to leave its young.

Footage shows the calf being lifted out of the hole by a backhoe after officers tied a safety harness around its body. It was put beside its mother, and they quickly removed the ropes so they could be reunited.

The Perhilitan Wildlife and National Parks Department said in a statement: ‘On June 30, 2024, Jeli District Perhilitan officials conducted an operation to rescue an elephant calf that fell into a drain at Mile 13 of the East-West Highway.'

The mother elephant did not chase away the men and seemingly understood they came to help.

She only stood nearby and ran after its baby when it was freed. The mother and child then crossed the road to return to the forest.

Asian elephants inhabit parts of Malaysia, primarily in Peninsular Malaysia and the state of Sabah in Borneo. Their population has declined significantly due to habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and poaching. However, they can still be found in the country's various national parks and forest reserves.