( CNN ) -- Most conservationists would agree that you should not interfere with mother nature . But there are exceptions to every rule . Staff and tourists at Kapani Safari Lodge in Zambia were caught by surprise when a mother and baby elephant became trapped in mud . Saying they could n't just `` stand by and watch them slowly die , '' what ensued was a dramatic rescue . Together with the South Luangwa Conservation Society ( SLCS ) and the local wildlife authority , the team devised a plan to get the elephants out . The rest of the herd initially tried to help the screaming mother and baby escape , but they were stuck too deep . Team managers from the conservation society slipped a rope around the baby and after a few attempts managed to pull her out of the muddy pit . The team says it took a lot of coaxing to get her out and on her feet though , adding that she `` was terribly frightened and would n't leave her mum 's side '' . Getting the adult elephant out of the mud was a far more challenging task -- by the time the baby had been rescued , its mother was dehydrated and exhausted . But the SLCS team eventually pulled her out too , using a tractor and rope . Staff at Kapani Lodge say it was `` heart-warming to see how many local people joined in the efforts to free the two elephants ... it was the happiest possible ending . ''
Mother and baby elephant stuck in mud at game lodge in Zambia . Score: 6 Elephants were at risk of dehydration and exhaustion .