She elephant falls into Z-D canal; saved after three-hour operation

By Nimal Jayaratne

Colombo, Oct. 15 (Daily Mirror) - A she elephant that fell into the Z-D canal in Welikanda this morning was saved by the Wildlife officers and driven away into a forest reserve after a three hour rescue operation.

Officials said the she elephant roaming into the village in search of water and fodder had fallen into the canal in the early hours of the morning.

They said the well-grown jumbo was about 25 years of age and eight feet tall and that it was with great difficulty that it was saved from drowning.

The officials had erected a makeshift row of steps with iron rods for the jumbo to come ashore.

Wildlife officers from the Welikanda Wildlife office carried out the rescue operation with the help of the Civil Security personnel and residents of the area.