A female elephant has been rescued after getting stuck in a muddy dam at Mount Kenya National Park, early this morning, Friday, 18th September, 2026.

The rescue was carried out by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) veterinary team, who responded after the elephant became trapped while taking a mud bath.

Elephants are known to use mud baths as a natural way of cooling their bodies and protecting their skin from the sun and insects.

However, in this case, the elephant found herself unable to get out of the muddy water.

According to KWS, the elephant cow was found stuck in the muddy dam and required intervention to free her.

The Mt Kenya National Park KWS/SWT Vet Unit arrived at the scene and safely pulled the elephant out of the mud.

The team then ensured she was reunited with her herd after the rescue.

“Elephants love a good mud bath; it’s basically their version of skincare, cooling them down and protecting their skin from the sun and bugs. But this elephant cow took it a step further and got stuck in a muddy dam mid-spa session,” KWS said.

KWS added that the veterinary team intervened, pulled the elephant to safety and returned her to her herd.

“Another day, another rescue,” the wildlife agency said.

The elephant rescue comes days after KWS veterinarians responded to another wildlife emergency involving a zebra at Mount Elgon National Park, where the zebra had a discarded slipper lodged around its leg.

The footwear had tightened around the limb, cutting into the skin and affecting the animal’s movement.

KWS said its veterinary team swiftly intervened and safely removed the slipper.