Trapped baby elephant rescued with excavator

An excavator has been used to free a baby elephant that fell into a ditch in India.

The male calf, estimated to be between four and five years old, fell into the hole when its herd was traversing a tea estate near Bokakhat Town in India's northeast, NTD TV reports.

Several members of the herd, including the calf's mother, attempted to rescue the animal but failed.

Locals and forest rangers sprang into action, using the excavator to dig enough space around the elephant so it could get back on its feet and walk out.

"We rescued the elephant along with forest staff," Anil Deka, an official with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, was quoted as saying.

"The calf has minor injuries but otherwise is in good condition."

The calf's distressed mother waited in the area until the rescue operation was complete and the pair then rejoined their herd.