In a distressing incident in Kerala, India, a truck collided with a massive six-ton elephant that had ventured onto a bustling main road early on a Tuesday morning.

The elephant, which had escaped from a nearby Hindu temple, suffered injuries and required a complex rescue operation using a crane. During this ordeal, a crowd of onlookers gathered to witness the extraordinary scene.

Veterinarians carefully approached the situation, ensuring they securely placed harnesses around and under the injured elephant in preparation for its rescue.

Given the elephant’s substantial size and agitated state, the team used a crane from a nearby construction site to lift the elephant onto a truck.

One of the senior veterinarians at the scene expressed concerns about how the elephant might react to the harnesses.

Fortunately, the elephant, which usually resides at a nearby Hindu temple, remained calm around people, suggesting it had simply wandered away.

As the crane hoisted the elephant, there was a collective sigh of relief from the crowd, believing the operation was progressing well.

Unfortunately, their joy was short-lived when it was later revealed that the elephant had sustained broken bones in its hind legs and back, leading to its tragic demise that evening.

Regrettably, such incidents are not uncommon in India, where owners often overlook the need for reflector lights on their elephants and cows.

Despite administering pain relief to alleviate the elephant’s suffering, Indian law prohibits euthanizing an elephant with such injuries, unlike horses.

While the rescue mission was bold, the heartbreaking outcome underscores India’s pressing need for improved animal welfare practices.