An 18-year-old elephant was rescued from her abusive owner - using a hydraulic crane to pluck her to safety.
The dramatic operation was carried out under the cover of darkness as a team of 20 officers whisked Lakshmi the elephant to safety at a sanctuary.
Her owners had attempted to conceal her from authorities in Muland, India, where they had used her for street begging - an act outlawed in the region.
Lakshmi was in such bad health that she was unable to freely move thanks to a string of ailments, including obesity, severe joint pain and acute arthritis.
Her poor condition led the Forest Department of Mahastrha and NGO Wildlife SOS to bring in a hydraulic crane to hoist her into the back of a truck.
That then sped her to Wildlife SOS’s Elephant Rescue and Intensive Care Center in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
Dr Yaduraj Khadpekar, a Wildlife SOS veterinarian, said: "The rescue operation had to be executed at very short notice when the Forest Department located where the elephant had been hidden by the owner.
"I am glad that we were able to successfully rescue Lakshmi. All along the journey from Mumbai to Mathura we had to keep resting and feeding Lakshmi while ensuring she was safe and not stressed from the journey."
Lakshmi is now recovering under the watchful eye of veterinarians at the Wildlife SOS centre.
Wildlife SOS Co founder, Geeta Seshamani, added: "Lakshmi is a classic example of captive elephants being neglected and mismanaged due to ignorance and greed of the owners.
"Wildlife SOS is working with the State Governments and Government of India to bring about awareness and change in the welfare of these captive elephants."
