Baby elephant rescued from dangerous well plays with child villagers

This baby elephant has become the star attraction of a village in Sri Lanka after it was rescued from a crocodile-infested well.

The calf had slipped away from its mother and fallen into a well near Vavuniya, in the north of the country.

The villagers alerted wildlife officials who were keen to carry out the rescue quickly as it was believed the well was home to a crocodile.

Using a digger, they lifted the baby out of the well and it was treated by vets.

Wildlife officials say the elephant is in good health and they will attempt to reunite it with its mother.

If they are unable to, they will arrange for its transport to a sanctuary.

The footage was captured on October 8.