Herd rallies to help baby elephant stuck in watering hole

It takes a village to raise a child, especially if you're a new elephant mother. When a baby elephant got trapped in a slippery watering hole, other members of the herd double-backed to help the mother save her baby.

Safari company Wild Wings Safari shared the video from a recent safari in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. The young elephant was too small to pull himself from the watering hole and even his mother couldn't get him out.

"His young mother tried to assist but was too inexperienced to know how to help him," explained Onne Vegter, director of the safari, to ABC. "She hung her trunk down and at one point even seemed to offer her hind legs for support, but his little trunk was just too short to hold on to mommy's legs."

They weren't alone, though. More experienced mothers noticed what was happening and turn around to join the efforts. With their help the baby easily scampered up, and they all trotted to catch up and join the herd.

"This touching video shows the close emotional bonds between elephants and how they look out for each other," Vegter said.