An African elephant made a lucky escape last month thanks to a group of conservationists who came to its rescue after it found itself sinking into the ground having become stuck in large pool of mud.
Dr Kieran Avery, 34, from Kenya, was part of a small team that made the dramatic rescue of an elephant after it became stuck in the mud in the dam and set it free.
The veterinary surgeon and conservationist took these images of the elephant caught in mud in June after receiving a call from the community to inform him that an elephant had become stuck in some mud at Oldonyiro community conservancy, Isiolo County in Kenya.
Pictured: A distressed and exhausted elephant fights for her life after becoming stuck in a muddy dam in Isiolo County, Kenya
The elephant (pictured) made a lucky escape when a team of conservationists were able to free her from the predicament
Pictured: The rescued elephant runs away to find her her after she was freed from the mud in a dam in Kenya in June
A small team of rescuers were called to the scene by concerned locals who found the elephant stuck in the mud.
With past experience of rescuing elephants from similar predicaments, the team knew they only needed a few tools - including straps and a tractor - to pull off the rescue operation.
Dr Avery said they put the straps around the elephant, and gently pulled it from the muddy prison until she was well clear. Having been left behind by her heard, she ran off after them once she regained her energy.
The doctor said: 'A call came in from the community first thing that morning to inform us of the stuck elephant.
'Given our experience with removing elephants stuck like this, we mobilised immediately to assist.
'Members of the community sent us photos to guide us on what would be needed to remove her.
The elephant (pictured) was almost completely submerged in the mud, with just her head managing to stay in the open
Using the right tools, rescuers (pictured left) were able to free the elephant (right) after working for an hour and a half
Pictured: The distressed elephant was covered from trunk to toe in mud after becoming stuck near a dam in Kenya
The team of rescuers were able to drag the elephant out of the muddy pool (pictured). They used carefully positioned straps and a tractor to pull her out, while taking care to ensure she didn't grab any of the team with her trunk
Pictured: The elephant stuck in the mud in June. The photographs were taken by Dr Kieran Avery, 34, from Kenya who was part of a small team that made the dramatic rescue
'She was stuck on her own and her herd had moved away from the dam. She was clearly distressed and exhausted - but she still had a fight in her which is always a good sign that there is hope.
'To free an elephant of this size you
