Cambodia rescues 11 endangered elephants

Phnom Penh, March 25 (IANS) At least 11 endangered Asian elephants were rescued by Cambodian villagers from a muddy bomb crater on Saturday, an official said.

The elephants, including three youngsters, were trapped in a three-metre deep bomb crater inside the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary in Mondolkiri province on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Villagers reported to the conservationists about the incident, said Keo Sopheak, Director of the Environment Department.

"We dug away at the side of the crater, and created a path to enable the wild elephants to climb free," Sopheak said.

He said no elephant was injured in the incident, and they were released into the jungle.

Cambodia is home to over 500 wild elephants, according to the Forestry Administration.