Indian forest officials rescued a wild elephant and her calf after they fell into an abandoned well near Sambalpur in eastern India.

The mother and the baby elephant had fallen into the well at Jujumara block on the night of April 27.

The next morning the local residents saw the mother elephant trying to climb out desperately while the calf clung to her in fear.

After getting an alert from the villagers, the local forest officials rushed to the spot with a JCB earthmover and dug a path out of the well.

The mother first climbed out of the well with some effort and stood nearby.

Seeing her get out, the calf also scrambled up and both the animals soon returned to the forest to join their herd.

Officials said the entire operation took a little over three hours.