Overview

• Thiruvegappura Sankaranarayanan gripped a rope tied to a Toyota Fortuner’s front axle and pulled the 2,105–2,135 kg SUV out of a river in Thiruvegappura village.
• Under the mahout’s guidance, the elephant dragged the stranded vehicle onto solid ground within seconds, demonstrating remarkable strength and discipline.
• Instagram user @saidkoya90’s post of the rescue has surpassed 2.4 million views and 172,000 likes, with many praising the method as an eco-friendly alternative to tow trucks.
• The incident highlights the deep cultural significance of elephants in Kerala, where they are employed in festivals, ceremonies and challenging rescue operations.
• Following widespread admiration, animal welfare advocates and social media users have called for closer scrutiny of the treatment and regulation of captive elephants.