A scrawny orphaned elephant calf was rescued from the wild in Kenya after hunters discovered it was trying to survive a jackal attack – and is now surviving in a wildlife orphanage.
Kenya Wildlife Service and David Sheldrick Wildlife Service responded to reports of the wandering calf on March 18 and sent a rescue team to retrieve the calf.
The reasons behind the abandonment of the elephant, who was just three or four months old at the time, remain unclear, although it is believed that its mother may have fallen victim to poaching.
Since his rescue, the baby has been in the co-care of DSWT staff and the other elephants in the orphanage have taken him under their wing.
The baby elephant, who was just three or four months old at the time, was left to roam to survive outside Tsavo East National Park in Kenya after a jackal attack earlier this year.
The Kenya Wildlife Service and David Sheldrick Wildlife Service responded to reports of the wandering calf on March 18.
Angela Sheldrick, CEO of DSWT said that the calf was in desperate need of the rescue it was looking for.
Rescuers said it was a miracle the calf was still alive as lions and jackals were common in the area it came from.
Angela Sheldrick, CEO of DSWT, said of the rescue: ‘The rescue team found the calf after a short search and it was clear that it was in desperate need of rescuing, and in fact with Infamoυs Tsavo lions pleпtifυl in that area, it’s a miracle he’s still alive.
‘Small predators – we suspect jackals – attacked his back and hind legs, due to his body being spastic due to poor posture, as evidenced by our need to rapid response.’
After monitoring, he was taken to Voi Reinпtegratioп Cпtre by the team and given milk and rehydration salts by the team, who estimated that he was over three months old.
The next day, a lookout team from Nairobi of DSWT flew to Voi headquarters in Tsavo East National Park to pick up the baby.
Since being rescued, the elephant has been rehabilitated by rescue teams and has survived in the rescue camp
The reasons behind the elephant, who was only three or four months old at the time, were abandoned remain unclear, although it is believed that its mother may have fallen victim to poaching
The elephant was secured and put on a plane and transported to Nairobi National Park, where DSWT operates an orphanage and elephant shelter.
He was secured and put on a plane and taken to Nairobi National Park, where DSWT runs an orphanage and rhinoceros orphanage.
Sheldrick said: ‘The reason behind his abandonment remains a mystery, but there were a number of poachers in the area this time and it is possible that one of these victims was his mother,’ Sheldrick said.
It often happens that the calf stays with the herd, but when it loses its strength due to lack of milk, the herd is forced to abandon it and it cannot remain in its weakened state.
‘This is most likely what happened in this baby’s case, because he was incredibly weak and dehydrated as he suffered all the time. It’s hard to imagine how scared and stressed he was when he had to beep, only he was a hostile person!’
Poaching remains a threat to elephants across Africa, and co-protectors like DSWT are doing everything they can to protect elephants from those who want to profit from their ivory and their lives.
The calf receives concurrent care from caretakers every day and they have reported hearing it on occasion.
He also melted the hearts of the other orphan elephants, even the older orphans who had previously ignored the children.
The elephant named Tagwa took him on the wing and at the same time tried to win his attention and take him on an expedition to the forest, so he could show him which shoots and roots were delicious. best
When he first arrived, the elephant was taken by the team to Voi Reinпtegrationп Cпtre пearby and given milk and salt for rehydration by the team
Sheldrick said: ‘It’s been a long time since we’ve seen positive changes in his body, but the presence of others, especially his best friend Laggard, has helped him recover. .
‘The bite marks on his legs were cleaned and treated daily until they gradually healed and today baby Sattao has gradually filled in.’
The calf receives concurrent care from caretakers every day and they have reported hearing it on occasion.
He also melted the hearts of the other orphan elephants, even the older orphans who had previously ignored the children.
The elephant named Tagwa took him on the wing and at the same time tried to attract his attention and take him on an expedition in the forest, so he could show him which buds and roots are best.
Sheldrick says: ‘He benefited from the love and comfort of the older women, Mbegυ and Godoma, who were generous with the care of the younger children – carefully taking care of them. Take care of them every day, always help them and reassure them.
‘It was amazing to see this beautiful sight of elephants.
‘Some of the success in even more difficult circumstances can be directly attributed to the help and care given to new arrivals by resident elephant orphans, healing the scars of loss grief haunted these little orphans by giving them what mattered – the will to live.’
