Colombo: Sri Lanka’s navy has rescued an elephant that got into difficulties after being washed out to sea, a spokesman said yesterday, calling it a “miraculous escape”.

Chaminda Walakuluge said the navy mounted the 12-hour rescue after spotting the elephant struggling to stay afloat around 8km off the island’s northeast coast.

AFP reported,divers aided by wildlife officials approached the distressed animal and tied ropes to it before towing it gently to shallow waters near the coast, where it was released late on Tuesday.

Walakuluge said the animal had likely got swept into the sea while crossing the Kokkilai lagoon, a large stretch of water that lies between two areas of jungle.

”They usually wade through shallow waters or even swim across to take a short cut.”