This is the dramatic moment an elephant stuck between pillar barriers was rescued by a wildlife team in India.

The 30-year-old bull was spotted by locals trapped in the gap between the wooden barrier posts on the shore of Mudaganur Lake in the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Veeranahosahalli, Karnataka, on January 5.

Concerned villagers called for help to rescue the hapless elephant.

Shortly after, ACF Laxmikant and DCF Seema arrived at the site to assess the situation. Along with nearby residents, they used a JCB machine to dismantle the barrier and successfully free the trapped animal.

Footage shows the mechanical arms removing the logs as the elephant struggles and finally yanks itself out.

Onlookers can be heard cheering in joy as the animal escapes.

The elephant reportedly did not sustain any serious injuries from the incident.

In 2021, authorities fitted the elephant with a radio collar for tracking purposes, which later helped them swiftly respond to location alerts during such emergencies.

To date, six elephants in the region have been equipped with radio collars, with a total of ten elephants across the state benefitting from this technology.

Abhishek, the Zonal Forest Officer of Veeranahosahalli, said that repair work on the barrier is underway.

The sub-continent has at least 30,000 wild elephants - more than any other country and approximately 60 per cent of the world's entire Asian elephant population.