Wild elephant rescued from muddy pond in Cambodia

Cambodian authorities and local villagers rescue a male wild elephant trapped in a muddy pond in the country's northeastern wildlife sanctuary in Modulkiri province. The elephant had fallen into the pond during the early morning hours on Monday, a spokesman for the environment ministry said. It was rescued in the afternoon.

There are about 400 elephants in the wild in Cambodia, and about 50 held in captivity, according to an animal rescue NGO. The demand for animal parts threatens Cambodia's dwindling elephant population found in the northeast and southeast forests, where illegal logging and deforestation is reducing their habitat.