Conservationists tranquillised the ten-foot-tall beasts and carefully bound their feet together
IT could be a real-life remake of Dumbo – an elephant high in the sky.
And this animal was not the only one who was airborne.
Flying high … jaw-dropping snaps show wayward elephants being lifted to safety by a craneCredit: Media Drum World
Feeling drowsy … the herd fall asleep after being safely tranquillised before being rescuedCredit: Media Drum World
These incredible images show how a herd of elephants was rescued after the naughty animals decided to escape from their nature reserve.
Conservationists tranquillised the ten-foot-tall beasts and carefully bound their feet together so they could be lifted.
Out for the count … the herd were tranquillised before the rescue mission beganCredit: Media Drum World
The impressive pictures show how the elephants were lifted by crane and placed onto transporter trucksCredit: Media Drum World
The 8,000 pound animals were then taken back to their home reserveCredit: Media Drum World
A crane hoisted the elephants, each weighing about 8,000lbs, on to a special transporter.
They were then driven ten miles back to the safety of their home, where the game reserve’s wardens gently revived the sleeping animals and helped them get up.
The 10-foot-tall elephants were handled carefully by the rescue teamCredit: Media Drum World
The amazing pictures were taken in Southern Africa by conservation photographer Pete OxfordCredit: Media Drum World
The shots caught the enormity of the creatures and the amazing rescueCredit: Media Drum World
Sweet dreams … a sleeping elephant before being air-lifted to safety after escaping ‘home’ reserveCredit: Media Drum World
Stunning shots show rare images of the 8,000lb animals being hoisted into the air by craneCredit: Media Drum World
A rescue team dedicated to keeping elephants safe worked carefully with sleeping herdCredit: Media Drum World
Photographer Pete Oxford was invited by the rescue team to document the amazing operation in South Africa.
Pete, 58, from Torquay, said: “It is not every day that you see live elephants hanging upside-down from a crane.
“My pictures show the incredible dedication of conservationists at work to help save elephants.”
The crane was used to lift the sleeping animals safely onto the truckCredit: Media Drum World
The rescue team are dedicated to helping elephants at risk of extinctionCredit: Media Drum World
A sleeping elephants is gently lowered onto the truckCredit: Media Drum World
Wakey, wakey … after being brought safely home two elephants come round and start to get back on their feetCredit: Media Drum World
The rescue mission was a huge success and kept the endangered herd safeCredit: Media Drum World
African elephants can live for up to 70 years and are the largest animals walking the earth.