When the rescue team from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trustfound (DSWT) found the elephants they had been looking for, they were not prepared for what they were to witness. They had first been made aware of the mother and her calf earlier in the day of September 22, 2013, when someone reported an injured elephant roaming in the Kenyan countryside. The DSWT headed to scene with a Kenya Wildlife Service Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit.
The Beginning
The DSWT was created in the 1970s and named after the founder’s late husband. It specialises in the protection of endangered animals, including elephants.
Prepared for everything
The Mobile Veterinary Unit had everything onboard to care for the injured animals once they were found. But first they would need to be tranquillised – including the baby, who the rescuers named Zongoloni.
Wounded
After both were sedated, Dr. Jeremiah Poghon got the chance to take a look at the elephants’ injuries. The mommy elephant had suffered a leg wound.
Far From Over
The adult elephant had been a target of poachers who would have been trying to take her ivory from her. While she had survived the ordeal, she did have a shot wound as a result. But just treating the injury was far from easy.
Prospects Were Not Great
The bullet had become lodged in the elephant’s leg bone, meaning her survival was in the balance. Her prospects were not great.
Ivory Tusks
Executive director of the DSWT UK, Robert Bradford said: “Zongoloni’s mother was clearly targeted for her ivory tusks. This agony, pain and heartbreak had been caused from a single bullet. The saddest part was knowing that…both mother and calf had been without food or water for some time.” The team had to leave the mother and daughter behind and hope for the best.
Hope
In the beginning it seemed as if this story may have a happy ending and a week later Zongoloni’s mom appeared to be recovering well. It looked as if the operation had been a success.
Collapsed
But the following week, the elephant became weak and collapsed. The team can’t be certain about when the mom had fallen, it could have been several hours or even days before her discovery. Zongoloni had been fending for herself the entire time, staying at her mother’s side with little to eat and drink.
Survival
The heartbroken calf had survived by drinking her mother’s urine, but without proper food, the baby was becoming weak. When the team discovered the pair, Zongoloni was trying desperately to revive her mom with her trunk.
Unexpected
Teams from the DSWT and specialists in anti-poaching were called to the scene and despite their experience, nothing could have prepared them for what they were about to see. Many of the rescuers were completely overwhelmed and were heartbroken for the tiny calf.
Single Bullet
As previously mentioned by Brandford, Zongoloni’s mother was clearly targeted for her ivory tusks and for good reasons. The cruelty demonstrated by the criminals proves that not only elephants are in danger, but other inhabitants as well.
Battle For Life
Sadly the team could not save the mother, and to end her suffering, decided it would be best to euthanise her. But despite now being an orphan, there was still hope for Zongoloni. She was sedated and taken to the DSWT’s Nairobi National Park. She was severely dehydrated but she was put on a drip that ultimately saved her life.
Devastated
The calf had been severely emotionally scarred by her mother’s death and would lash out at keepers when they tried to feed her. But with a little TLC and patience, Zongoloni soon became more cooperative.
New Life In The Wild Awaits, But Not Now
“She is also feeling the call of the wild and spending more time with wild elephant herds,” Brandford explained. “Zongoloni will one day return to the wild and begin a family of her own. Man took away her mother’s life and we are determined to give Zongoloni the wild life she truly deserves.”
Healing Process
“To help with her emotional stress, we would bring the other orphans to feed just outside of Zongoloni’s stable,” Brandford explained. “This helps immeasurably with all new arrivals. gives them a sense of belonging once more.” Over time this tactic seemed to work. Twelve days after being rescued, the orphaned elephant joined other nursery elephants in a bid to aid her healing. Over the following 4 years, Zongoloni has gained her place in a herd and become a strong elephant.
Socializing
“She is also feeling the call of the wild and spending more time with wild elephant herds,” Brandford explained. “Zongoloni will one day return to the wild and begin a family of her own. Man took away her mother’s life and we are determined to give Zongoloni the wild life she truly deserves.”
Personal Trial
While Zongoloni’s story has a happy ending, the tragedy she went through is far from unique. “Her story, along with many before her, is a graphic reminder of the price that is paid for ivory.”
Personal Trial Came To An End
