Baby safely back in mother's embrace after getting lost

I COULD never forget you, baby...an elephant mum cuddles the little calf she thought she had lost, in a photo that is melting hearts across the globe.

- Emily Braeger

The tiny animal was rescued by nature reserve staff after it was found wandering alone just before New Year.

But it was reunited with all of its relatives after an immediate search was launched and drones were used to track down the herd in Tamil Nadu state, southern India.

Staff at the Manambolly forest range, in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, bathed the baby and covered it in mud to minimise any human scent before they led it back to a spot close to the herd of 10 elephants and set it free.