Late last night, distressing news arrived about a female elephant shot and seriously injured, leaving two young elephants needing urgent rescue. Rescuing elephants requires careful verification to ensure they are genuine orphans, not just temporarily abandoned.
Unfortunately, the mother’s injuries were so severe that she had to be euthanized. A dedicated team quickly tracked down the injured elephant and her calves.
The mother’s wounds in the shoulder were severe, hindering her ability to stand. Consequently, the team decided to tranquilize the mother and the baby elephant.
Tranquilizing an elephant is no easy task. The vet estimated the elephant’s weight, concocted the appropriate dosage, and shot the tranquilizing dart. The goal was to render the elephant unconscious without causing harm, as they needed to transport it via an airplane.
With the calf safely on its way to the sanctuary, a vigilant team ensured the airstrip was free from any potential obstacles. Finally, the precious cargo arrived, and the elephant was gently unloaded, with water poured on it to keep it cool while still unconscious.
Upon reaching the sanctuary, the baby elephant was placed in a stall, and the veterinarians commenced their thorough examination. They checked for injuries and illnesses, gaining valuable insights into the elephant’s experiences with its herd.
Surprisingly, the vets discovered dried blood on the elephant’s side, which turned out to be from its injured mother’s gunshot wound. The calf had stood close to its wounded mother, showing immense loyalty and compassion.
After examination, it was time to wake the elephant from sedation. A well-placed injection helped revive the majestic creature, albeit slightly slower than expected. Eventually, the baby elephant regained consciousness but displayed signs of agitation and disorientation.
Keepers limited human interaction to facilitate the baby elephant’s reintegration into the wild. However, one keeper carefully approached the calf, establishing a connection with gentle words and proximity.
As the other elephants in the sanctuary were allowed in, the matriarch, Shaba, sensed the newcomer. Guided by their highly developed sense of smell, elephants connect by probing with their trunks. Shaba, too, welcomed the baby elephant into the herd with a touching trunk entwining.
With the dedicated efforts of the rescue team and the sanctuary’s keepers, this brave little elephant now has a second chance at life, surrounded by newfound family and love.
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