YOU SAID:

I have been trying to contact the elephant.

INTO JAPANESE

私はずっと象に連絡しようとしていた。

BACK INTO ENGLISH

I've been trying to contact the elephant.

INTO JAPANESE

象に連絡しようとしてた

BACK INTO ENGLISH

I was trying to reach the elephant.

INTO JAPANESE

私は象にたどり着こうとしていた。

BACK INTO ENGLISH

I was trying to reach the elephant.