In a heartwarming and challenging rescue operation, firefighters came to the aid of a distressed elephant trapped on its side at Howletts Wild Animal Park near Canterbury, Kent.
The African elephant named Umna had collapsed due to a severe bout of colic, a life-threatening condition for these majestic creatures.
Desperate to help her, the park’s keepers attempted to lift the 13-year-old elephant using ropes, but her immense two-tonne weight made it impossible.
With the initial attempt using a forklift truck also proving unsuccessful, the keepers called upon the expertise of Kent Fire and Rescue Service, renowned for their specialized animal rescue and heavy lifting equipment. Urban search and rescue teams and a crew from Whitstable joined the mission.
Ian West, the Faversham watch manager, who was part of the rescue team, acknowledged that while they were more accustomed to rescuing cattle and horses, they collaborated closely with the park’s keepers to formulate a plan.
They placed strops around Umna’s front body and used a Tirfor winch to raise her legs into a “begging” position gently.
Once the elephant could support her own weight, they carefully released the strops, and Umna could walk freely again.
The rescue was a resounding success, thanks to the joint efforts of Kent Fire and Rescue Service, the dedicated elephant keepers, and the timely presence of animal transport expert Roy Smith, who happened to be at the park for a meeting on moving elephants between different locations.
Neil Spooner, the animal director at Howletts, expressed immense gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue, stating that their combined efforts had undoubtedly saved Umna’s life.
This touching and memorable incident is a testament to the compassion and dedication of those who work tirelessly to protect and care for these incredible animals.
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