by People Came Across A Bizarre Sight — In The Middle Of A Dam Was A Strange Gray Lump
He was just a baby — and could barely breathe! In early September, people living near Tsavo East National Park in Kenya came across a bizarre sight — in the middle of a dam was a strange gray lump. It was a baby elephant. The elephant had fallen in the dam and clearly couldn’t get out on his own. He was lying on his side with his trunk raised above the water’s surface so he could breathe. It’s possible the elephant’s family had tried to rescue the baby animal, but they may have been unable to save him, according to Rob Brandford, executive director of The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), an organization that ʀᴇsᴄᴜᴇs orphaned elephants.
“The conditions surrounding the dam were extremely difficult with slippery mud, and it could be that the herd were simply unable to free the stricken calf in the treacherous mud and gave up, or that their efforts were disturbed and they fled. His sᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ is certainly credit to the fact that he has a trunk and was able to use it like a snorkel, raised above the muddy water so he could continue to breatheWithout it, he wouldn’t have stood a chance given he was submerged in the muddy water. We don’t know how long he had been stuck, but he was certainly exhausted from the effort of trying to stay alive.” Brandford said
Rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS rangers) arrived to help — they removed their uniforms and waded into the water to reach him. Then they gently edged the elephant to the side of the dam, and a team worked to pull the elephant out of the water to safety.
“Dollo will remain in the care of DSWT for many years. But once he’s grown up, he’ll be released back into the wild, which is where he truly belongs. Reflecting on his ordeal, Dololo is incredibly lucky to have been saved in time, and it is so satisfying to see him come alive as his condition improvesKnowing that we have afforded him a second chance at sᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ and a life in the wild when he is fully grown is immensely uplifting and we are delighted to get to know this little bull and offer him a new, loving family.”Brandford said
