Thai man performs CPR on baby elephant hit by motorbike

Mana Srivate was filmed saving the injured animal’s life
via REUTERS

A Thai man has used his CPR skills to save a baby elephant after it was hit by a motorbike.

Rescue worker Mana Srivate said he had performed dozens of resuscitation attempts during his 26 years in the job, but never before on an elephant.

The animal was crossing a road in Thailand’s eastern province of Chanthaburi when it was struck by the vehicle.

Mr Srivate, who was off duty, was on a road trip late on Sunday when he was called into action.

Dramatic footage of the incident, which has been widely circulated on Thai social media, shows Mr Srivate is giving two-handed compressions to the injured creature.

Meanwhile, his colleagues can be seen treating the dazed and injured motorcyclist just a few metres away. The rider did not suffer serious injuries and is said to be recovering well.

Explaining how he felt at the time, Mr Srivate said:“It’s my instinct to save lives, but I was worried the whole time because I can hear the mother and other elephants calling for the baby.

“I assumed where an elephant heart would be located based on human theory and a video clip I saw online,” he said.

“When the baby elephant started to move, I almost cried.”

The baby elephant was treated and returned to its family
via REUTERS

The elephant stood up after about 10 minutes and was taken to another location for treatment, before being returned to the scene of the accident in the hope of being reunited with its mother.

The elephants soon returned when the mother heard her baby calling out, Mr Mana said.

Despite having dealt with dozens of road traffic accidents involving humans, Mr Mana said the elephant was the first victim he had managed to revive using CPR.

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