The Sri Lanken Navy rescued an elephant that had been washed out to sea this week in what became a 12-hour marathon.
According to reports, officials theorize that the elephant was trying to cross Kokkilai Lagoon, which separates two pieces of land within the Kokkilai Animal Sanctuary in the northeast part of the country, and it was swept into the ocean by the current. Reports vary on how far out the animal was but it was at least five to eight miles from the coast. The elephant was apparently using its trunk as a sort of snorkel.
The divers gently wrapped ropes around the beast and guided it back to shore where it was released.