Watch: Elephant rescued from mud pit in Kenya by JCB

The animal is believed to have been trapped for 12 hours

The steep sides left the male elephant stuck fast in the mud

This elephant has had a lucky escape after he got stuck in a mud pit in Southern Kenya.

He was freed from the muddy crater in Makindu with the help of a JCB digger that broke down the sides of the hole.

The male elephant was spotted struggling to get out of the hole by local farmers, who called for help.

Despite repeated attempts, the elephant could not climb out because of the steep, slippery sides of the pit.

It is believed that the animal fell into the pit while he was searching for water. He remained trapped for 12 hours in the dank ditch, which was filled with clay water, before he was rescued by conservationists.

The extraordinary rescue took place on farmland bordering Chyulu Hills National Park and was captured on camera by conservation scientist and wildlife photographer Jeremy Goss.

"It was heart-breaking to see the elephant in the well, particularly because the community had not been very keen or able to help it out,” Mr Goss told The Mirror.

"Elephants raid their crops and are generally not welcome, but it was a shocking sight for them nonetheless."

In the short video, the animal appears to be incredibly distressed and despondent. Luckily the digger quickly helped to free the elephant, who then quickly climbed out and walked away.