Freed Elephant Attacks Backhoe and Chases Villagers Up Trees

COLOMBO (News 1st); What began as a desperate rescue mission to save a trapped wild elephant turned into a heart‑stopping scene of chaos and fear on Monday, when the distressed animal charged at the very people who worked to free it.

Villagers first spotted the elephant helplessly stuck inside a deep, muddy pit. Exhausted and covered in thick sludge after repeated attempts to climb out, the massive tusker struggled for hours, trumpeting in frustration as its legs slipped back into the muck each time it tried to escape.

Alarmed by the situation, local residents alerted wildlife officers, who later arrived with heavy machinery, including backhoe loaders, to dig a sloping pathway to help the animal climb out safely. For nearly an hour, officers and villagers worked side‑by‑side, carving out a path of freedom.

Finally, with the newly created escape route ready, the exhausted elephant hauled itself out of the pit.

What happened next left everyone stunned.

Just moments after reaching solid ground, the elephant suddenly turned aggressive, trumpeting loudly before charging straight at the crowd. People scattered in every direction. Some sprinted for safety, while others climbed trees in panic.

A group of men took cover inside a backhoe loader, but even that proved barely enough. The enraged elephant rammed into the machine, shattering its windshield with a thunderous blow.

Witnesses described the moment as “pure chaos.”

After several tense minutes, the elephant abruptly stopped its rampage and lumbered away into the nearby jungle, leaving behind shaken villagers, and a backhoe with a heavily damaged cabin.

Officials believe the animal may have acted out of fear and confusion after a stressful and exhausting ordeal. Despite the terrifying twist, no serious injuries were reported.