Two old circus elephants learnt a new trick yesterday in the midst of an emergency as they helped keep a truck from tipping over.

Images have emerged from the Louisiana Interstate Highway in America of the enormous animals leaning their hefty weight onto an 18-wheeler to stop it sinking further into mud. Ironically, it was the same vehicle they’d been travelling in.

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The elephants’ trainer had the idea to utilise their strength by coaxing them out of the trailer and positioning them to lean on the truck.

The local sheriff’s department said in a statement they, “were astounded to find the two elephants keeping the 18 wheeler from overturning” and that, “no citations were issued”.

A local wrecker service soon came to the scene and pulled the truck out of the muddy curb sending the elephant troupe and their handlers onto the show.