An elephant calf was found trapped and nearly drowning in a muddy well on May 18. According to witnesses, the baby elephant, only about two months old, was lying in the mud and appeared unable to move before being rescued.
Villagers alerted the Northern Rangeland Trust, a nonprofit organization, and other local authorities. The team worked together to rescue the calf and pull it out of the muddy well. According to the assessment by the Northern Rangelands Trust, the elephant was in serious condition.
When the combined efforts of the villagers and the organizations were unable to locate the calf’s family, the villagers took temporary custody of the young elephant.
Experts say that elephants are very social animals and that they are emotionally complex. This means that young elephants usually stay with their families until they are at least 16 years old. Elephant mothers usually do not abandon their calf. However, if the mother is unable to rescue her calf from such a situation, they are forced to move on and leave the calf behind.
Dangerous Muddy Waters
Northern Rangelands explained that this incident is not uncommon as communities in northern Kenya dig shallow wells along temporary water streams and rivers. When elephants pass by looking for water, calves usually fall into these wells. The herds can assist in rescuing the calf, but this is not always possible and the calf is left behind.
Villagers living near the temporary water sources report such incidents, which often occur during times of drought.
The Northern Rangelands spokesperson explained that all cases are reported by community members who assist Conservancy rangers in rescuing wildlife. If the situation is complex, other partners are called in to help. He explained that it is also possible that the calf got stuck after taking a bath.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has taken over the care of the baby elephant as it will provide a comfortable home and new family for the young elephant. A helicopter from Kenya Wildlife Service was called in to carry the calf to the Sheldrick Wildlife Orphange, Nairobi
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is a conservation organization that is often called to rescue wildlife in distress in Kenya. The organization is best known for its work protecting elephants and runs the most successful rescue and rehabilitation program for orphaned elephants in the world.
A few months ago, the organization came to Tsavo National Park in Kenya and found another baby elephant stuck in a watering hole after the herd tried unsuccessfully to get it out.
The organization’s current project is known as the Orphan’s Project, which rescues and rehabilitates orphaned baby elephants.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has successfully raised about 280 elephant orphans and treated nearly 9000 veterinary cases.
The organization usually releases the orphans back into the wild. In some cases, the elephants are adopted by other conservation organizations.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust welcomes all measures that complement the conservation, preservation, and protection of wildlife, which include combating poaching, protecting the natural environment, raising community awareness, and providing veterinary assistance to animals in need.