Incredible video has emerged of an elephant being rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy, 16 kilometres off the Sri Lankan coast.

In the video, the elephant can been seen floating in the ocean with its trunk upwards, using it like a snorkel.

The Sri Lankan navy troops attached to the Eastern Naval Command were going about their routine patrol when they noticed the elephant being dragged out to sea offshore in the Kokkuthuduvai area in Kokilai.

Navy officers can be seen swimming alongside the elephant attempting to attach a rope to the animal's neck while a boat helps guide the elephant back to shore.