A heartbreaking story of a baby elephant refusing to leave her mother, who was killed for her tusks, has captured the hearts of animal lovers worldwide.
A heartbreaking story of a baby elephant refusing to leave her mother, who was killed for her tusks, has captured the hearts of animal lovers worldwide. The incident took place in September 2013 when a mother elephant was spotted with an injury from a poacher’s bullet in Kenya.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) and the Kenya Wildlife Service Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit quickly dispatched a team to help the elephants. However, despite the treatment given, the mother’s condition continued to deteriorate, and she eventually collapsed two weeks later.
Zongoloni, the mother elephant’s baby calf who was only 18 months old at the time, stayed with her mother, stroking her with her trunk until the rescue team returned.
Sadly, the mother elephant was beyond help, but Zongoloni was tranquilized, transported to DSWT’s Nairobi nursery, and cared for by the keepers. Initially, Zongoloni was aggressive towards the keepers and refused to take a bottle. However, after meeting other orphaned elephants at the nursery, she seemed to calm down.
Zongoloni’s story highlights the devastating impact of poaching on elephant populations, and it’s a reminder of the urgent need to protect and conserve these magnificent animals.
With the help of organizations like the DSWT, orphaned elephants like Zongoloni can receive the care they need and a second chance at life.
Now, four years later, Zongoloni lives at DSWT’s rehabilitation unit at Umani Springs in Kenya, which brings her a step closer to returning to the wild.
Despite her traumatic experience, Zongoloni is thriving and enjoying her new life, surrounded by her elephant family.
While it’s heartwarming to see orphaned elephants like Zongoloni being given a second chance at life, it’s essential to remember that the threat of poaching and habitat loss still looms over African elephant populations.
It’s up to us as individuals and organizations to do our part in protecting and conserving these incredible animals for future generations to enjoy.