Watch: Elephant in Kerala calmly pulls out SUV from riverbank, wins hearts online
Kerala
is going viral on social media this week– not for any accident or celebrity moment, but for a powerfully incredible scene by a riverbank. In Palakkad district, a white Toyota Fortuner got stuck in the soft, muddy bed of a shallow river.
But instead of a crane or tow truck, it was an elephant, guided by its mahout, that pulled the vehicle out.
This short but powerful moment has quickly gone viral, drawing attention not just to the elephant's strength but also to how traditional knowledge still plays a role in everyday life.
Reports suggest that the vehicle had driven onto the riverbank, likely misjudging how muddy the ground was. With three wheels stuck deep and no grip to move forward, efforts to push or pull it by hand didn't work.
As more people gathered around, so did the confusion about how the SUV would be rescued.
Soon, a mahout reached the spot with his elephant– a well-known domesticated tusker named Sankaranarayanan. A thick rope was tied to the front of the SUV, and on the mahout's signal, the elephant grabbed it with its trunk. With one calm and steady pull, the vehicle was pulled out of the mud and brought safely back onto solid ground.
Watch the video here:
The act lasted only a few moments, but it was powerful enough to grab the attention of millions.
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The video was first shared on Instagram by user Said Alavikoya and quickly gained traction. Within hours, it was being widely shared across social media, with people reacting to the unusual sight with a mix of curiosity and admiration. Many praised the elephant's calm strength and the smooth coordination between the animal and its mahout.
While this scene may surprise many on social media, using elephants for tasks like lifting logs or working in tough rural areas is still common in parts of Kerala, especially in forest regions and during temple events.
The video is a reminder that even today, some communities still turn to traditional methods when modern tools don't work.
Reactions to the video have been mostly positive, with many appreciating the elephant's strength and calm nature. However, some viewers raised concerns about the ethical use of elephants for such tasks. Animal rights groups often remind people that even trained and domesticated elephants need to be treated with care and respect, and their well-being should always come first.
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