Heartwarming video shows a baby elephant thanking a girl for helping after it got stuck in the mud

Editor's note: This article was originally published on October 31, 2022. It has since been updated.

It is widely known that human settlements have robbed certain wild animals of their natural habitats. Construction of roads and cutting down forests for agriculture and industrial means pose a great many challenges to wildlife. It's heartwarming, to hear stories of people doing what they can for these animals. A little girl was captured helping out a baby elephant that was stuck on the side of a human-made road. 

In the video posted on Reddit by u/PxN13, the baby elephant seems to be struggling to get out of mud collected on the side of the road. However, a young girl steps in to help him by guiding him to lift one leg and then the other to get out. After a bit of struggle, the elephant got out of the mud and was extremely relieved and happy. It even lifts its trunk to make a gesture of gratitude to the little girl. 

This video moved people to tears and has more than 45,000 upvotes in just four days. A Reddit user commented, "I am uber fascinated by elephants they're so smart! That was a genuine thank you. The calf understood she was there to help other animals may have panicked." Another said, "The trunk nod at the end was heart melting. Like 'thanks for that.. you're cool x.'" 

Many people shared that the girl was extremely brave as elephants are massive animals and it can generate fear in people's minds. A user noted, "I can’t even imagine walking down the road and seeing an elephant. Let alone touching and helping one." Another added, "It's terrifying, touching elephants is. They’re so incredibly strong, if it wanted to take your life it could do so, easily, it is an incredibly humbling experience in my opinion."

A third user joked, "It is sweet that she kept encouraging the elephant, but she was, literally, despite her best efforts, unable to move any part of this little one." Some noted that the elephant getting trapped in the first place is tragic and sad and it is all because of humans occupying their habitats. One user said, "That ending, what a creature they are. Really intelligent. But we as humans are ruining their way of living. Like more creatures. I hate that we are ruining so many intelligent creatures' habitats."

Reddit users also noted that the elephant will always remember the little girl his whole life. One person wrote, "So cute how the elephant thanked her afterward by raising its trunk and showing compassion toward her. I wonder if it’ll remember her and bond with her as the years go by. Some animals get excited when they see the person that helped them out." Another added, "Did you know that elephants have the same reaction in their brains to humans as humans do to puppies? They think we are cute!" 

"Elephants are just so magnificent, compassionate and intelligent creatures. They amaze me," said another. This beautiful video is a message that animals are affectionate and caring irrespective of any situation. They only become aggressive when dealing with any past trauma or feel like they are in danger.