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An drowning elephant which struggled for nine hours was saved in an incredible rescue by heroic locals and wildlife workers.
The massive beast had tried to pull itself free from the deep waters in a Sri Lankan canal, and would have died if it was not spotted.
An improvised rescue operation, using crackers, ropes and tyres, was launched up in Pibhuraththewa after the animal was seen struggling.
It is believed the adult elephant had fallen into the water on Monday night, and was seen by a villager the following morning.
Dramatic mobile phone footage shows it struggling to keep its head above the water, as locals try to help conservation workers.
Incredibly the elephant survived the ordeal thanks to their heroics, and is seen getting out of the water at teh end of the two-minute clip, to the relief of onlookers.