Kerala elephant effortlessly pulls out stuck Toyota Fortuner from riverbank

In a striking example of how nature can still come to the rescue despite modern technological advancements, a Toyota Fortuner SUV stuck on the banks of a shallow river near Ottapalam in Kerala’s Palakkad district was pulled out—not by a recovery truck, but by an elephant.

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The incident, captured on video, shows the vehicle's left-side wheels deeply embedded in the muddy riverbank. Despite multiple attempts by the owner and driver, the SUV remained stuck, its wheels digging in further with each try. Due to the terrain, no heavy vehicle could be brought close enough to tow the car out.

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Faced with no other options, the car owner contacted the handler of a well-known elephant named Shankaranarayanan from Thiruvegapuram, Kerala. The elephant’s owner agreed to assist.

In the video, the elephant is seen calmly taking position as a thick rope is tied to the front of the 2,100+ kg Toyota Fortuner. Gripping the rope with its trunk, the elephant gives a single, powerful pull—and to the amazement of onlookers, the SUV is effortlessly yanked out of the muddy trap.

The act drew cheers from locals and serves as a powerful reminder that even in an era of smart cars and bullet trains, there are times when traditional, natural strength prevails.