5 elephants saved from muddy pond in Thailand

BANGKOK, Jan. 19 -- Five wild elephants in northeastern Thailand finally came out from a farm pond after being trapped there for a few hours with the help of local residents and authorities on Saturday.

The five elephants, including three calves aged around one to two years, were found stunk in a farm pong behind Nong Sai village, Khon Buri district of Nakhon Ratchasima province on Saturday morning, according to local media Posttoday.

Wichit Kitwirat, chief of Khon Buri district and officials from Thap Lan National Park and soldiers rushed to the site after being alerted.

Local residents said these elephants must come out from Thap Lan National Park last night in search of food and accidentally got stuck in the pond.

They said the pond is deep with slippery and sticky land around it, which made it difficult for elephants to get out.

Local residents joined hands with authorities in digging a pathway for elephants to walk out as the animals looked exhausted.

At first, the animals appeared to be scared by so many people around them. Local authorities then ordered people to move away to make room for elephants.

The elephants successfully found the newly-dug way and came out at around 2 pm, running back to the forest.