An elephant was stranded nine miles out to sea. Then the Sri Lankan Navy arrived.
By Alex Horton July 13 at 8:02 PM
Of all the animals in the world to be stranded out in the ocean, few are more prepared to survive than an elephant, with its natural buoyancy and built-in snorkel. But even strong-willed elephants need a hand, and perhaps a fleet of naval vessels.
Dramatic footage from a 12-hour operation by the Sri Lankan Navy early Tuesday morning shows a lumbering elephant desperately staying afloat nine miles from the coast. Crashing waves threaten to submerge it, forcing the elephant to draw oxygen from its upturned trunk.
The animal was first spotted by a Sri Lankan Navy boat on a routine patrol off the northeastern coastal town of Kokilai. The rescue effort swelled to three more vessels and a team of navy divers.
Using ropes and guidance provided by officials from the Department of Wildlife, the team towed the elephant back to land, where it was handed over to officials from the wildlife office, the Sri Lankan Navy said in a statement.
more + video:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/animalia/wp/2017/07/13/an-elephant-was-stranded-9-miles-out-to-sea-then-the-sri-lanka-navy-arrived/