New meaning to trunk road

An elephant charged to her keeper's rescue after his vehicle broke down leaving him stranded in animal reserves at a Midland park.

Keeper Lawrence Bates travelling around the grounds at West Midland Safari Park, in Bewdley, when his 4X4 came spluttering to a halt.

But Mr Bates had no need for the AA as one of his charges, 18-year-old African elephant, Five, was immediately on hand to lend a trunk.

Five first assisted in a push start of the broken down four-by-four.But despite her best efforts, the vehicle refused to start.

Another tack was needed and Five helped Mr Bates by raising the bonnet and remove the dipstick with her trunk.

After passing the part to her keeper, he was finally able to get the vehicle started.Five picked up her skills by watching her keeper carry out maintainance on the vehicles previously. And the clever elephant's help did not end there.

With the panic over and the breakdown sorted out the elephant decided the vehicle was in need of a spring clean.

Using her trunk, she reached into a bucket of water and sprayed the four-by-four with her trunk to remove any dust.She then gathered up a sponge and cleaned the windows and paintwork like a true professional.

Safari Park spokesman Wendy Jackson said the Five was extremely intelligent and quickly picked up things she had seen her keeper do.

"She is absolutely amazing and only has to see something once and then knows how to do it," she said.